When news broke in December that Virgin America CFO Robert Dana would be leaving come 2009, we didn't mention the story, preferring to let Wonky Aviation Industry Insiders* handle the minutiae of the comings and goings of financial wizards. But, as one of our astute commenters reminds us, Dana isn't just any bean counter: He's the guy that drew up the original business plan for the innovative airline that's been our favorite domestic carrier for two straight years.
What about the very recent changes in top management? Do they foreshadow other changes? Everybody loves Charles, but the heart and soul of Virgin America is leaving and you haven't said a word. (How does the culture look going forward--an awful lot of legacy people there.)
It's a fair question, particularly for a scrappy startup with a relatively small number of employees that prides itself on doing things a bit differently. How much did Dana really influence the day to day? With both Dana and Ogilvie out, will Virgin America be able keep the innovation coming? And how much influence can any one person (not named Steve Jobs) really have on a brand?
They aren't questions VA's likely to answer, so we're kicking them to you, the commenters. Don't be shy!
* Not a real magazine.
Related Stories:
· Virgin America's Chief Financial Officer to Depart [Press Release]
· Charles Ogilvie: Leaving Virgin America, Heading for China [Jaunted]
[Photo: shell_s]]]>
