AMR Corp., the parent of American Airlines, said Monday that Chief Financial Officer James Beer is leaving to join software company Symantec Corp.
Beer, who is also a senior vice president, will stay until AMR files its annual financial report on Feb. 24. The company said it would immediately begin looking for a replacement.
The resignation means that AMR will be looking for its fourth chief financial officer in the last few years. Beer, who has been with American for 15 years, became CFO in December 2003.
Beer replaced Jeffrey C. Campbell, who left for a similar job with consulting firm McKesson Corp. The previous CFO, Thomas W. Horton, left in June 2002 to take the same job at the old AT&T Corp.
Chairman and Chief Executive Gerard Arpey said it was "always disappointing to unexpectedly lose an executive of James' exceptional capabilities and leadership," but added that the company has strong management and finance teams and expects a smooth transition.
Beer, through a company spokeswoman, declined to comment on Monday.
The spokeswoman, Lisa Bailey Singleton, said Beer had notified company officials "a couple days ago" of his plans.
Fort Worth-based AMR owns American, American Eagle and AmericanConnection, which together operate more than 3,900 daily flights and more than 1,000 aircraft.
Shares of AMR fell 93 cents or 3.7 percent, to close at $24.03 in trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
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On the Net:
AMR and American site: http://www.aa.com
