United Airlines has announced two leadership promotions within its executive team. Josh Earnest is promoted to executive vice president of communications and advertising and Terri Fariello is promoted to executive vice president of government affairs and global public policy. Both will remain on United's executive team.
"Over the last few years, United has enjoyed a significant competitive advantage by having our policy and communications leaders at the table for every major decision we've made, especially during the extraordinary disruption caused by the pandemic," said Scott Kirby, CEO of United. "That structure only worked because Josh and Terri are professionals at the top of their game. Their counsel and strategic insight will continue to be essential as we implement our ambitious United Next plans."
"Josh and Terri are an integral part of our Executive Team and have helped enable every major action we've taken as an airline these past few years," said Brett Hart, President of United. "They have each transformed and elevated the work of their teams and I know their strategic counsel will continue to make essential contributions to our success."
Josh joined United in 2018 as senior vice president and chief communications officer. He leads the airline's global communications and advertising strategies and serves as the company's chief spokesman.
Before joining United, Josh spent two decades in politics and government, including as White House Press Secretary from 2014 to 2017 and as an analyst for NBC News from 2017-2018.
Terri joined United in 2017 as a senior vice president. Based in Washington, DC, she leads the company's federal, state and international government engagement, including environmental affairs. Before joining United, Terri spent 16 years at Exxon Mobil most recently serving as vice president of their Washington, DC office, leading the company's federal and state government affairs.
Under Terri's direction, United has set a course to be 100% green by 2050 by reducing greenhouse gas emissions 100% without relying on traditional carbon offsets and has invested in the future production of over three billion gallons of SAF – the most of any airline in the world.