Howard Putnam

former CEO, Southwest Airlines

After serving as the CEO of the highly successful Southwest Airlines, Howard Putnam was recruited to rescue financially failing Braniff International. The due diligence he reviewed greatly overstated the cash position by $175 million; Mr. Putnam faced the challenge of saving a billion dollar company with only 10 days of cash. "When you have no cash, your ethics, integrity, and your ability to communicate openly and honestly with ten thousand employees and all of your stakeholders are your only assets," he notes.