US-listed airline operator JetBlue yesterday named Amy Burr (pictured) president of its corporate venturing subsidiary, JetBlue Technology Ventures (JTV).
Burr is replacing Bonny Simi, who served at the company for 18 years, launching JTV for its parent in 2016. She took up a position as head of air operations and people at JTV-backed vertical take-off and landing aircraft developer Joby Aviation in December 2020 but will continue to advise the JTV team.
Reporting to JetBlue’s general counsel and corporate secretary Brandon Nelson, Burr will oversee the unit’s strategic venture capital investments and corporate innovation initiatives.
JTV hired Burr as managing director of operations and partnerships in 2018 and she was involved in establishing networks and deployment opportunities for many of its portfolio companies. She recently featured in Global Corporate Venturing’s Emerging Leaders list.
Nelson said: “Amy has done a phenomenal job leading the JTV team over the past several months, and we are looking forward to seeing her bring her innovation experience to life as part of JetBlue’s leadership team.”
Burr served in a series of senior positions at air carrier Virgin America between 2004 and 2018, the airline merging with peer Alaska Airlines in 2016. Between 2000 and 2004, she worked at Continental Airlines, which has since merged with United Airlines.
Burr told GCV: “Over the years that I have been with [JTV], the innovation side of our business has grown exponentially and become so important. This was especially highlighted during the covid-19 pandemic, because we spent a lot of our time helping JetBlue think about how to recover using emerging technology.
“So one big focus going forward is finding that sweet spot balance between meaningful, impactful investments and this innovation work. One area that could be improved upon is the aviation industry’s willingness to accept this innovation. There are better ways of doing day-to-day processes, and it is our role to convince executives to embrace new technology and change.”
Photo courtesy of JetBlue Airways. Article amended on July 5.