Delta taps former BellSouth spokesman as its communications chief

<p>Delta Air Lines Inc., which is operating under bankruptcy protection, has hired a former spokesman for BellSouth Corp. to be the carrier's vice president of communications.</p><p>Jeff Battcher, 45, will fill a vacant position at Atlanta-based Delta left open by the departure of Dan Lewis.</p><p>Battcher most recently served as vice president of corporate communications for Atlanta-based BellSouth, which was bought by San Antonio-based AT&T Inc. last year.</p><p>His first day at Delta will be March 1, spokeswoman Betsy Talton said Tuesday.</p><p>At Delta, Battcher will report to Chief Executive Gerald Grinstein and will serve as Deltas lead communications strategist.</p><p>Delta is the nation's third-largest airline. It hopes to emerge from bankruptcy as early as April.</p>