Alaska Air Group announces leadership changes

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Written by Linda Hohnholz

SEATTLE, WA – Alaska Air Group, the parent company of Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, announced several changes today to reorganize responsibilities among the company’s senior leadership.

SEATTLE, WA – Alaska Air Group, the parent company of Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, announced several changes today to reorganize responsibilities among the company’s senior leadership.

CFO Brandon Pedersen has been promoted to executive vice president, finance, and chief financial officer. In addition to his finance responsibilities, Pedersen now oversees financial planning and analysis and internal audit.

Andrew Harrison, vice president of planning and revenue management, has been promoted to senior vice president of planning and revenue management. Along with his existing responsibilities, he will oversee corporate real estate as well as pricing and revenue aspects of Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan frequent flier program.

Joe Sprague has been promoted to senior vice president of communications and external relations. Sprague will oversee government affairs, community relations, sales and community marketing, and corporate communications. Alaska Air Group will search for a replacement for Sprague’s previous role as vice president of marketing.

“Brandon and Andrew have played key roles in strengthening Alaska to help us perform successfully in this hyper-competitive industry, and these changes will tighten coordination within their respective areas,” CEO Brad Tilden said. “Joe’s extensive background in community relations, government affairs and communications is a great fit as we connect with key stakeholders about the role we serve in the community.”

Herman Wacker, vice president of legal, will become general counsel on Oct. 1, when Keith Loveless, executive vice president and current general counsel, retires. Wacker will also assume the role of chief ethics and compliance officer immediately.

“Keith’s wisdom and good judgment have guided us through many challenges during his long career at Alaska,” Tilden said. “Herman is the ideal person to succeed Keith given his thoughtful and creative leadership and his skill in representing the best interests of our company, our people and our interactions with the community.”

Pedersen joined Alaska in 2003 and assumed roles of increasing responsibility, becoming chief financial officer in 2010. Harrison, who also joined Alaska in 2003 after a 16-year career in public accounting, became vice president of planning and revenue management in 2008.

Sprague started as a regional sales director at Alaska in 2000. He later served as managing director of government affairs in Washington, D.C., and then led the public affairs, inflight services and cargo divisions before he became vice president of marketing in 2010.

Loveless, a 28-year veteran at Air Group, joined Alaska in 1986 following his tenure with the Seattle law firm of Bogle & Gates. He was elected corporate secretary of Air Group in 1996 and general counsel in 1999.

Wacker joined the company in 2007 as associate general counsel and managing director of labor and employment law. He has practiced this area of the law in Seattle since 1975 and has represented labor unions, employees and employers as an advisor, mediator and trial lawyer.

Alaska Air Group announces leadership changes

SEATTLE, WA – Alaska Air Group’s board of directors has approved several leadership changes in the company’s Legal Division.

SEATTLE, WA – Alaska Air Group’s board of directors has approved several leadership changes in the company’s Legal Division.

Herman Wacker, Air Group’s deputy general counsel and managing director of legal, has been elected vice president of legal. Shannon Alberts, managing director of corporate affairs and assistant corporate secretary, has been elected corporate secretary. Kyle Levine retains his role as deputy general counsel and managing director of legal, and replaces Alberts as assistant corporate secretary.

“Herman approaches his legal work creatively, giving advice and counsel that blends legal, business and practical judgment in a way that has led to terrific outcomes for Alaska and its employees,” said Keith Loveless, executive vice president and general counsel. “Shannon is a seasoned professional who has ensured that Air Group has outstanding board governance practices. Kyle is a proven leader who will continue to provide us with wise counsel into the future.”

Wacker joined Air Group in 2007 as associate general counsel and managing director of labor and employment law. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1973 and has practiced labor and employment law in Seattle since being admitted to the Washington State Bar in 1975, representing labor unions, employees and employers in hundreds of arbitrations, mediations, negotiations and lawsuits. Wacker was one of two Alaska Airlines employees who received the company’s distinguished Leadership Award in 2013.

Alberts, a 28-year veteran at Alaska, began her career in the Corporate Affairs Department and has held positions ranging from director of corporate affairs to managing director of investor relations. She became managing director of corporate affairs in 2010. Alberts earned a Certified Equity Professional certificate from the University of Santa Clara and completed the Investor Relations Certificate Program from the University of California. She also earned an executive MBA at the University of Washington.

Levine, who joined Alaska in 2006, was promoted to deputy general counsel in 2011. Levine previously worked for the Nixon Peabody law firm in its San Francisco office, where he was part of the aviation products liability litigation team. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from Stanford University, a law degree from Southern Methodist University and is a member of the California State Bar.

Loveless was elected executive vice president at Air Group in 2012. He became corporate secretary in 1996 and general counsel in 1999 after joining Alaska Airlines in 1986 following his tenure with the Seattle law firm of Bogle & Gates.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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