SEATTLE, May 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Airlines'
board of directors announced the election of Tom Kemp to the position of vice president of
flight operations for Alaska Airlines effective July 1, replacing Gary
Beck, who will retire from the airline on June 30.
Kemp is a 31-year veteran with more than 16,000 hours of flight
time. During his career at Alaska,
Kemp has served in a variety of positions with increasing
responsibility. As the director of operations and managing director
of standards, fleet and operation control, Kemp has ensured
Alaska's compliance with the
Federal Aviation Administration's Federal Air Regulations and
company policies. He also served as system chief pilot and managing
director of line flying where he was responsible for all pilots at
four bases located along the West Coast and in the state of
Alaska.
"Tom's commitment to safety and compliance and extensive
knowledge of Alaska Airlines make him extremely well-qualified to
lead flight operations and Alaska's 1,639 pilots," said Alaska Airlines
Chief Operating Officer Ben
Minicucci. "He is an individual who not only possesses a
wealth of knowledge and experience, but his integrity and high
moral standards personify our Alaska values."
Kemp earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from
the U.S. Air Force Academy. He learned
to fly in the Air Force at the age of 21 and went on to serve in
the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserve for 21 years.
Prior to joining Alaska Airlines in 1987 as a captain on the
MD-80 aircraft, Kemp spent four years flying for Jet America
Airlines.
Alaska Airlines, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK),
together with its partner regional airlines, serves more than 100
cities through an expansive network in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in
Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Carriers in North America" in the J.D. Power North
American Airline Satisfaction Study for eight consecutive years
from 2008 to 2015. Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan also ranked
"Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Airline Loyalty Rewards
Programs" in the J.D. Power 2014 and 2015 Airline Loyalty/Rewards
Program Satisfaction Report. For reservations, visit
www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit Alaska
Airlines' newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.
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SOURCE Alaska Airlines