Michele Burns, executive v.p. and chief financial officer, has decided to leave Delta, effective April 30. She will join Mirant Corporation of Atlanta as executive v.p. and chief financial officer, and lead the company’s financial restructuring. Gerald Grinstein, CEO, said he will announce a replacement for Burns soon. Burns will remain Delta's CFO through the end of April.

"Michele Burns has been an important part of Delta's leadership since she joined the company in 1999, both in her role as chief financial officer and as a senior corporate executive," said Grinstein. "After the tragedy of September 11, 2001, Michele built a financial structure that gave the company the stability to address the on-going task of regaining sustained profitability. Everyone at Delta appreciates what she has done for our company and wishes her well in her new role."

Burns said, "Working at Delta has been a wonderful, rewarding time and I will miss the Delta people. Leaving is very difficult, but I made the decision that the time is right to take on a new opportunity. I am confident that Delta will work through its challenges and regain its position at the top of the commercial aviation industry."