Delta Air Lines appoints New Communications Chief

Delta Air Lines has appointed Jeff Battcher as vice president – Corporate Communications. Battcher, 45, most recently served as vice president of Corporate Communications for Atlanta-based BellSouth Corporation, now part of the new AT&T, where he directed internal and external communications reaching more than 125,000 active employees and retirees, 2 million shareholders and millions of customers around the world.

At Delta, Battcher will report to Chief Executive Officer Gerald Grinstein and will serve as Delta’s lead communications strategist. He will lead a team of professional communicators responsible for both internal and external communications around the world.

“One of Delta’s great strengths is a reputation and heritage of open, honest and direct communication with our people, our shareholders and our customers,” Grinstein said. “We are pleased to add to our executive team a new member who is respected for candor, truth, and credibility, as well as his proven track record in communications. Jeff’s experience over the past two decades will be a significant addition to our organization as Delta continues to expand in its role as a strong, global airline in a fiercely competitive marketplace.”

During his 15 year career at BellSouth and BellSouth Mobility, Battcher was instrumental in implementing communication strategies for various corporate programs, including BellSouth Mobility’s sponsorship of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta; BellSouth’s entrance into international new markets; BellSouth and SBC’s joint venture to form Cingular Wireless in 2001; and the integration of BellSouth and AT&T following their merger in 2006.

Battcher holds a degree in Business Communications from Mercer University and is a former working television journalist.

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