Jeff Smisek is chairman, president, and CEO of United Airlines. United and its United Express regional partner airlines operate an average of 5,055 flights a day to more than 370 airports across six continents. Prior to this role, he was chairman, president, and CEO of Continental Airlines, which merged with United Airlines in 2010. He joined Continental in 1995. Smisek serves on the board of directors of National Oilwell Varco, is on the board of trustees of Rice University, and is chairman of the board of Airlines for America, the trade organization for major US passenger and cargo air carriers.