Ed Bastian Biography – A Complete Wiki – Updated 2024

ED Bastain is one of the most successful American business executives. He is currently leading Delta Air Lines as the 9th Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company. His leadership continues to steer the company towards new horizons.

Bastian’s career journey from being an auditor who uncovered a $50 million fraud to becoming Delta’s CEO is truly awe-inspiring. His exemplary leadership has not only landed him on Fortune’s World’s 50 Greatest Leaders list but also amassed him a net worth exceeding $50 million.

That’s not all! You will not only be amazed but inspired by the life of this successful business leader, the challenges he overcame, and the legacy he continues to build at Delta. Join us as we explore the biography, salary, and net worth of Ed Bastian in 2023.

Quick Facts About Ed Bastian 

Early Life and Family Background

Ed Bastian was born on the 6th of June, 1957 in Poughkeepsie, New York. His parents were both involved in the dental profession – his father was a dentist and his mother assisted him in their home-based practice.

After completing his high school education from Our Lady of Lourdes in Poughkeepsie in 1975, he pursued higher studies. In 1979, Ed earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, specializing in accounting, from St. Bonaventure University located in St. Bonaventure, New York.

Ed’s journey with Delta Air Lines started back in 1998 when he joined as the Vice President of Finance. His dedication and hard work led to his promotion to the position of Chief Financial Officer in 2004 and later to Chief Operating Officer in 2007. The year 2016 marked a significant milestone in his career when he was appointed as the CEO of Delta Air Lines.

Under Ed’s leadership, Delta Air Lines has witnessed substantial growth and profitability. On the personal front, Ed was married to Anna and they have four children, including two sons and two daughters.

Ed Bastian Career Growth – From Auditor to Delta Airlines CEO

Ed Bastian’s professional journey began in his native city – New York, where he worked as an auditor for Price Waterhouse, now rebranded as PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC).

In 1981, during an annual review, he caught a massive fraud scheme worth $50 million linked to the advertising giant J. Walter Thompson. This discovery led to an investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which unfortunately tarnished the careers of several PWC executives.

A few years later, Bastian’s hard work and dedication were recognized when he was made a partner at the young age of 31. After resigning from PWC, Bastian took up the role of vice president at PepsiCo. Here, he was responsible for managing the international finances of its Frito-Lay snack division.

Delta Airlines

His association with Delta Air Lines began in 1998 when he joined as vice president – finance and controller. His exceptional performance led to his promotion to senior vice president – finance and controller in 2000.

In 2005, Bastian decided to leave Delta to join Acuity Brands as senior vice president and chief financial officer. However, his stint at Acuity Brands was short-lived as six months later, he was requested by then-Delta CEO Gerald Grinstein to return to Delta as chief financial officer.

In 2007, he was elevated to the position of president, a role he fulfilled until he was appointed CEO in May 2016. This marked the first time since 1987 that Delta had chosen a CEO from within its ranks.

Ed Bastian Current Position

Awards and Recognition Received by Ed Bastian

• In the year 2021, Ed Bastian stepped into the esteemed position of Chairman for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.
• In 2018, Fortune recognized his leadership prowess and included him in their annual list of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders.
• On the 17th of February, 2018, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal and the Georgia Historical Society awarded him. They inducted Bastian into the Georgia Trustees, a recognition that is considered the pinnacle of honors in the state.
• The year 2017 was also noteworthy in Bastian’s career. He received recognition from Glassdoor as a Top CEO, an honor that was based on feedback from employees. In the same year, the Atlanta Business Chronicle paid tribute to his leadership by naming him as one of Atlanta’s Most Admired CEOs.

Ed Bastian’s Wife and Kids

Ed Bastian is married to Anna Bastian. The couple have four children, including two sons and two daughters.  While much information about Ed Bastian’s family is unavailable, little do we know is that his younger daughter Brittany Bastian married Nathan Gannon in August 2020 in a simple wedding ceremony held in Georgia.

This harmonious family life plays a significant role in shaping Ed Bastian’s persona beyond his professional achievements.

Ed Bastian Car Collection

Ed Bastian’s car collection shows his simple yet elegant lifestyle. Despite his success, he leads a modest life, reflected in his choice of vehicle. He owns a Tesla Model S.

This choice not only underscores his preference for leading-edge technology but also his commitment to environmental responsibility. His Tesla Model S serves as a symbol of his values, seamlessly blending luxury with simplicity and innovation with sustainability.

Ed Bastian Salary in 2024

Edward H. Bastian, as the CEO of Delta Airlines, INC., gets a salary of approximately $950,000, adding to his gross income of $9,606,387. He gets a salary of about $950,000, a bonus of $2,673,562, stocks worth $5,700,012, and he receives $282,813 from other types of compensation. This data is based on the proxy statements submitted for the fiscal year of 2022.

Ed Bastian’s Net Worth in 2024

As of 2024, Ed Bastian has a Net Worth of at least $55.7 Million. He owns stocks of over 47,500 units in Delta Air Lines, which is worth more than $14,239,892. He also earned more than $40,887,727 from selling DAL stock in the past 18 years. He gets a salary of approximately $950,000.

Bastian has been trading Delta Air Lines stock since 2007 and has made over 64 trades, as per Form 4 submitted to the SEC. The most recent one was on 31 August 2022, when he sold 47,500 units of DAL stock for $1,500,050.

The biggest trade he ever did was on 21 December 2015, when he exercised 240,000 units of Delta Air Lines stock for over $1,917,600. He trades around 30,876 units every 50 days on average since 2005. He still holds at least 399,212 units of Delta Air Lines stock as of 2024.

Ed Bastian’s Current Holdings

Ed Bastian Social Media Handles

Ed Bastian is not just a business leader, he is also a social media influencer. He has an Instagram account with the username @edbastian, where he posts regularly about his insights and advice on business, leadership, and life.

He has about 29.8K followers who look up to him and learn from him. He is not active on any other social media platform, so his Instagram account is the best way to connect with him and get inspired by him.

ED Bastian’s Instagram Account

Interesting Facts About Delta CEO – Ed Bastian

• Bastian loves his country and his company with equal passion.
• He has openly expressed his disagreement with US Ex-president Donald Trump on some issues.
• He completed his first marathon in 2014.
• Ed Bastian dreamed of being a baseball star when he was a kid.
• He drives a Tesla S40 to his office.
• Bastian quit Delta Airlines once but returned later.
• He is not only fit but also has a lively family.
• Ed Bastian was the eldest of 9 siblings, so he learned leadership skills early on.
• He is not afraid to challenge the status quo, even among his peers in the corporate world.
• He loves to read blogs regularly.
• He loves to travel and is an avid golfer.

FAQs

How Much is the CEO of Delta Worth?

As of October 2023, Ed Bastian has a Net Worth of at least $55.7 Million. He owns stocks of over 47,500 units in Delta Air Lines, which is worth more than $14,239,892.

Who is the New CEO of Delta?

Ed Bastian was appointed the new CO of Delta in 2016.