OREANDA-NEWS. September 14, 2015. Delta’s Chief Financial Officer Paul Jacobson today rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange, celebrating the airline’s commitment to New York and its new advertising campaign with I LOVE NY which launched this week. 

Delta’s new campaign spotlights its leadership as New York’s No. 1 carrier. The new co-branded logo was showcased today with a large banner outside of the New York Stock Exchange and an interactive brand display at Exchange Square.

“It is an honor to ring the closing bell today on behalf of Delta’s 10,000 New York-based employees as we celebrate this exciting new partnership with I LOVE NY and Delta’s growing success in New York and beyond,” said Jacobson.

On hand for the bell ringing event were eight Delta employees that are part of the company’s C.E. Woolman Program for Emerging Leaders, which is designed to foster leadership with  activities focused on business insight, cultural awareness and professional development.

“We are proud to have a number of Delta’s next generation of leaders here with us today,” Jacobson said. “Our success is due to our people, our values and our investment in our employees and it is their commitment to service that continues to set us apart from our competition and lead the industry.”

Timi Coffee, C.E. Woolman Emerging Leader and Manager of Instructor Performance and Development In-Flight, said of the experience, “It is so exciting to be here today at the New York Stock Exchange and for this incredible opportunity. I have been with Delta for 21 years and have seen the company go through many ups and downs. I am very proud to be part of an incredible Delta team and this inaugural group of C.E. Woolman Emerging Leaders. It is truly a testament to Delta’s culture and investment in its people to be able to be part of an experience like this today.”

Over the past six years, Delta has invested more than \\$2 billion in New York City’s airports, improving the traveler experience by bringing state-of-the-art technology, award-winning chefs and exceptional customer service to a growing number of New York passengers. Delta offers more than 500 peak-day departures to more than 130 destinations worldwide from its hubs at New York’s LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport – including service to more destinations from New York state than any other airline as well as nonstop service to five continents.

Since Delta first publicly offered its stock in 1957, the company has grown from a small, regional carrier to the second largest carrier in the world.

Delta is on track to have another record-breaking year in 2015 as its leadership team has built a sustainably profitable and successful business model. The company expects to achieve its 10th consecutive quarter of record profits in the 3rd quarter of this year and has been applauded for its commitment to paying down debt while still returning a healthy percentage of cash to shareholders and employees. Delta expects to return nearly \\$2.5 billion to shareholders this year, consistent with the company’s goal to return at least 50 percent of free cash flow to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.

Delta has also paid out \\$1.6 billion in profit-sharing to employees for 2013 and 2014 and led the industry in the June quarter with \\$411 million in profit-sharing contributions.