Skip to main content
Nov 20, 2018

JetBlue picks new pilot for legal

Brandon Nelson takes on role following retirement of James Hnat

JetBlue has promoted Brandon Nelson to become the company’s general counsel and corporate secretary. In his new role, Nelson leads the airline’s legal, ethics and compliance, cyber-security and ESG efforts, and reports to JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes.

Nelson joined JetBlue in 2005 and served as director, corporate counsel and assistant secretary before being promoted in 2009 to vice president and associate general counsel. He had been serving as general counsel on an acting basis since July 2018. He also sits on the investment committee of the company’s Silicon Valley-based corporate venture capital fund, JetBlue Technology Ventures.

The airline announced in May that James Hnat, its long-time corporate secretary, executive vice president for corporate affairs and general counsel, would retire from his role, effective June 30. Hnat will continue to advise the company with respect to its investment in JetSuite and JetBlue Technology Ventures through the end of 2018 and will continue to serve on the JetSuite board of directors, according to a company statement.

‘Over the years Brandon has proven a keen ability to navigate JetBlue through the complexities of our industry’s constantly shifting landscape,’ Hayes says in a statement. ‘As we enter JetBlue’s 20th year with many exciting ventures ahead of us, I am confident Brandon’s leadership and counsel will serve our company and our crew members well.’

Ben Maiden

Ben Maiden is the editor-at-large of Governance Intelligence, an IR Media publication, having joined the company in December 2016. He is based in New York. Ben was previously managing editor of Compliance Reporter, covering regulatory and compliance...