Alaska Air Makes Multiple Executive Appointments

Alaska Airlines Group announced several executive appointments and changes in portfolio at Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air.

The airline added several responsibilities to the portfolio of Ben Minicucci, who has served as president and COO since 2016, in which capacity he was responsible for the airline’s integration with Virgin America.  Going forward, Mr. Minicucci will be responsible for all commercial and operational duties, the airline said, including the rollout and executive of the company’s strategic plan.

In addition, the airline announced the appointment of Gary Beck to the position of executive vice president and chief operating officer at Alaska and of Joe Sprague to the position of president of Horizon Air.

“We’re fortunate to welcome Gary back to Alaska,” said Brad Tilden, Alaska Air Group’s CEO. “He’s a proven, trusted leader with decades of airline experience.”

Mr. Beck, who currently serves as CEO of Horizon Air, previously held the position of vice president of flight operations at Alaska.  Mr. Sprague retired from Alaska in 2017 as senior vice president of external relations.  He began his career in the aviation industry as a customer service agent for a commuter airline and held various management positions with smaller airlines before joining Alaska in 2000.

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