Robert Crandall is a native of Westerly, University of RI grad and long-time Chairman of American Airlines.

Crandall led American Airlines from 1980, when he was named president and later chairman, until he retired in 1998. American Airlines was transformed from a small, domestic carrier to one of the world’s leading airlines with the largest jet fleet worldwide. American led the airline industry in the 1990’s in revenues and operating income, and its parent company, AMR Corporation, was one of the top Fortune 500 companies.