Douglas Mark Steenland

Douglas Mark Steenland Current title: President and chief executive officer, Northwest Airlines Corp.

Born: Sept. 17, 1951, Passaic, N.J.

Education: B.A. in history, Calvin College, 1973; juris doctor, National Law Center, George Washington University, 1976

Career: Joined Northwest in 1991 as deputy general counsel and was involved in the airline's 1993 restructuring. From 1994 to 1999, he was senior vice president and general counsel. Spent four years (2001 to 2004) as the company's president, which included overseeing labor relations. Named CEO in October 2004, succeeding Richard Anderson. Before joining Northwest, Steenland was senior partner at the Washington law firm of Verner, Liipfert, Bernhard, McPherson and Hand.

Family: Wife of 19 years, Carol Higgins Steenland; children Margaret, 18, and William, 16

Community involvement: Chairman, Guthrie Theater board of directors; board member of the Greater Twin Cities United Way

Favorite books: "The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York," by Robert Caro; "The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt," by Edmund Morris; "Master of the Senate: The Years of Lyndon Johnson," by Robert Caro

Favorite movie: "Animal House" (1978)

Hobbies: Golf