- link Copy URL - [ Share on X ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=At a Time of Loss, the CEO of JetBlue Showed His Humanity https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/285731?absolute=1&via=3blnews "Share on X") - [ Share on linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/285731?absolute=1 "Share on Linkedin") - [ Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/285731?absolute=1 "Share on Facebook") - [ email Share via email ](mailto:?subject=At a Time of Loss, the CEO of JetBlue Showed His Humanity&body=ESG News from JetBlue Airways https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/285731?absolute=1 "Share via email") [Corporate Responsibility](/categories/corporate-responsibility) # At a Time of Loss, the CEO of JetBlue Showed His Humanity ##### By Leon Kaye May 12, 2020 3:45 PM ET ![](https://3blcdn.com/styles/carousel_2x/s3/2026-08/jetblue_robin_hayes_1786757950.jpg "

Image credit: Nel Botha/Pixabay

") <p>Image credit: Nel Botha/<a href="https://pixabay.com/photos/jetblue-airways-airline-decals-4798724/" target="_blank">Pixabay</a></p> [Originally published by TriplePundit](https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2020/ceo-jetblue-humanity-covid-19/89011) It’s easy to criticize politicians, business leaders and, okay, even our neighbors for how some of them have conducted themselves during this pandemic. And trust us, here on TriplePundit, we have not held back in calling companies accountable for actions that in the very least are [tone-deaf](https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2020/covid-19-tests-limits-social-media-tolerance/86916) to at most, [egregious](https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2020/under-covid-19-worker-safety-issues-leap-beyond-factory-gates/87376) (and that’s being tactful). But in fairness, none of us has ever experienced a time like this, so all of us are learning as we continue on through this crisis. One CEO who could teach his peers how to show compassion and empathy is JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes. Last week, it was up to Hayes to participate in JetBlue’s obligatory quarterly conference call to announce the company’s latest financial results. But instead of doling out the usual corporate speak, Hayes paid tribute to the six JetBlue employees who [passed away](https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2020/05/07/jetblue-airways-corp-jblu-q1-2020-earnings-call-tr.aspx) from COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus: > “We are deeply saddened to have lost six crew members to the coronavirus, including a pilot, two members of our in-flight community, one support center colleague, and two airport crew members. Ralph Gismondi, Charles "Chuck" Lewis, Jared Lovos, Kevin McAdoo, Ray Pabon, and Nikki Thorne were valued and amazing members of our JetBlue team, each with a special and unique story.” Hayes continued with an anecdote about each employee. One was a former New York City firefighter who showed up for duty at Ground Zero on 9/11. Another was retired from the U.S. Air Force. He then asked the earnings call attendees to pause for a moment to remember these JetBlue employees in silence. [**Continue reading**](https://www.triplepundit.com/story/2020/ceo-jetblue-humanity-covid-19/89011) [![](/sites/default/files/Clients/PRN-JETBLUE.jpg)](/profiles/jetblue-airways) ### More from JetBlue Airways ###### [Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance Announces Aviation Decarbonization First, With Collective Purchase of Sustainable Aviation Fuel Certificates ](/news/sustainable-aviation-buyers-alliance-announces-aviation-decarbonization-first-collective) Apr 4, 2023 4:40 PM ET ###### [JetBlue Brings “Fly Like a Girl” Event to Fort Lauderdale as Part of Commitment to South Florida](/news/jetblue-brings-fly-girl-event-fort-lauderdale-part-commitment-south-florida) Apr 3, 2023 12:20 PM ET ###### [JetBlue and Shell Aviation Announce Agreement Bringing New Supply of SAF to LAX](/news/jetblue-and-shell-aviation-announce-agreement-bringing-new-supply-saf-lax) Mar 14, 2023 3:45 PM ET ###### [JetBlue Partners With CHOOOSE, Giving Customers the Tools To Help Scale the Sustainability of Air Travel](/news/jetblue-partners-chooose-giving-customers-tools-help-scale-sustainability-air-travel) Feb 28, 2023 12:15 PM ET ###### [JetBlue Announces Science-Based Emissions Reduction Target and Strategy To Achieve Net Zero by 2040](/news/jetblue-announces-science-based-emissions-reduction-target-and-strategy-achieve-net-zero-2040) Dec 6, 2022 1:00 PM ET ###### [JetBlue and Fidelis New Energy Sign Agreement for 92 Million Gallons of Sustainable Aviation Fuel](/news/jetblue-and-fidelis-new-energy-sign-agreement-92-million-gallons-sustainable-aviation-fuel) Dec 2, 2022 12:05 PM ET ###### [Ava DuVernay's Array Releasing Partners With JetBlue for Exclusive In-Flight Pop-Up Channel Featuring 12 Independent Feature Films From Artists of Color and Women Directors](/news/ava-duvernays-array-releasing-partners-jetblue-exclusive-flight-pop-channel-featuring-12) Dec 1, 2022 11:00 AM ET ###### [In Celebration of JetBlue For Good Month and Giving Tuesday, JetBlue Donates 2 Million TrueBlue Points to Charitable Organizations](/news/celebration-jetblue-good-month-and-giving-tuesday-jetblue-donates-2-million-trueblue-points) Nov 29, 2022 9:35 AM ET