DENVER -- Thousands in Colorado now have a new boss.

United Airlines' Board of Directors held a special meeting on Monday to unanimously vote in a new chief executive officer, Glenn Tilton.

Tilton is a veteran oil industry executive who will replace interim CEO Jack Creighton.

Tilton was the vice chairman of ChevronTexaco and also acting chairman of the energy marketer Dynegy. Although he has never run an airline, United has had no luck attracting an industry veteran since it began its four-month search.

United also said president Rono Dutta and chief operating officer Andy Studdert are stepping down. Both had been under fire from the company's unions for over a year.

Outgoing CEO Jack Creighton earned the respect of United's unions, but he turned 70 Sunday and had said he wanted to return to retirement.

A spokesman for the airline's pilots union, which holds a seat on the board, said the union was impressed with Tilton's background and leadership.

Analyst Ray Neidl said that despite Tilton's lack of experience in the industry, his selection demonstrates United's preference to avoid bankruptcy rather than restructure under court protection.

In the past 18 months, United Airlines has posted a $3 billion loss and this fall, the carrier says it might file for chapter eleven bankruptcy protection.