Gerald Grinstein

Gerald Grinstein was named Chief Executive Officer of Delta Air Lines in January 2004. He has been a director of Delta Air Lines since 1987 and served as Delta's non-executive chairman from August 1997 until October 1999. Grinstein has chaired the Board's executive sessions since 1999.

Grinstein served as non-executive chairman of Agilent Technologies from 1999 through November 2002. He retired as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Burlington Northern Inc. in 1995. As Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, he oversaw the Company's acquisition of Santa Fe Pacific Corp., which created the nation's largest railroad. Grinstein was elected to the Board of Directors of BNI in 1985, was named Vice Chairman in 1987, President and Chief Executive Officer in 1989, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer in 1990 and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in 1991.

Before joining BNI, Grinstein served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Western Airlines, Inc. from 1984 through 1985 and as CEO of Western from 1985 through March 1987, when Western merged with Delta.

Grinstein was a partner in the law firm of Preston, Thorgrimson, Ellis & Holman in Seattle from 1969–1983. His prior career includes serving as Chief Counsel to the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, Counsel to the Merchant Marine & Transportation Subcommittee and Administrative Assistant to U.S. Senator Warren G. Magnuson.

A native of Seattle, Grinstein graduated from Yale College in 1954 and Harvard Law School in 1957. He and his wife Lyn have four grown children and reside in Atlanta.