Richard H. Anderson (businessman)

Richard H. Anderson
Ray LaHood (left) and Richard Anderson (right) listen as Kevin McAleenan makes an announcement regarding the combat against human trafficking in June 2013.
Born	(1955-05-02) May 2, 1955 (age 63) Galveston, Texas
Alma mater	University of Houston–Clear Lake, (B.A.) South Texas College of Law, (J.D.)
Occupation	President and Chief Executive Officer, Amtrak, (2017-present) Chief Executive Officer, Delta Air Lines, (2007-2016) Executive Chairman, Delta Air Lines, (2016-2016) Chief Executive Officer, Northwest Airlines, (2001-2004) Sr. Vice President, United Healthcare, (2004-2007)
Salary	US$0
Spouse(s)	Sue Anderson
Children	Katy and Rick

Richard H. Anderson (born May 2, 1955) is an American business executive who currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Amtrak. Anderson previously worked in the aviation industry, including tenures as CEO of Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines.

Anderson was born in Galveston, Texas, to Hale Anderson, an office worker for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, and Frances Anderson, a medical receptionist. His family, which also included five sisters, moved to Dallas and later Amarillo, Texas. His parents died of cancer when Richard was 20 years old.

Anderson attended Texas Tech University and the University of Houston, graduating from the latter in 1977 with a degree in political science. He earned a law degree in 1982 from the South Texas College of Law before working as a prosecutor for the district attorney office of Harris County, Texas.

Anderson entered the aviation industry after accepting a legal position at Continental Airlines and served as the airline's representative during the investigation of Continental Airlines Flight 1713 in 1987. Anderson, who had never considered a career in the aviation industry, accepted the position at the urging of Ben Hirst, a neighbor who worked at Continental as a legal counsel.

Hirst and Anderson left Continental for Northwest Airlines in 1990, with the latter serving as a deputy general counsel for the airline. At Northwest, Anderson was initially charged with labor relations and government affairs. Despite having no experience in airline operations, he was named senior vice president of technical operations and airport affairs. Anderson was promoted to CEO of Northwest Airlines in June 2001 after the departure of John Dasburg.