SEATTLE, June 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Airlines has
elevated two seasoned leaders to pivotal roles within the company
focused on enhancing the company's commitment to safety and
operational growth. The company also appointed a new president to
its subsidiary, McGee Air Services, a leader in ground services and
aircraft management.
Justin Neff named vice
president of strategic sourcing & supply chain management for
Alaska Airlines
Justin Neff will oversee
strategic sourcing and supply chain for Alaska Airlines and Horizon
Air, essential for achieving business objectives and cost
efficiency. He'll implement best practices in sourcing and managing
aircraft, engine acquisitions and maintenance support
agreements.
Previously, Neff served as president of McGee Air Services,
where he set a new standard of safety and operational excellence
for the subsidiary and built an industry-leading recruiting and
training program based on relationships and taking care of people.
Prior to McGee, he held pivotal roles at Alaska Airlines, including
managing director of engines, components, material, and leasing and
managing director of supply chain. Prior to Alaska, he worked in IT contracting and
procurement for Black & Veatch.
"Justin embodies our values to own safety and deliver
performance. His ability to build genuine relationships with
internal and external stakeholders coupled with his innovative
solution-focused mindset creates a remarkable experience for his
employees, peers and vendors alike," said Shane Tackett, Alaska Airlines executive vice
president of finance & CFO.
Ann Ardizzone named vice
president of special projects for Alaska Airlines
Neff succeeds Ann Ardizzone, who
will take on a new role as vice president of special projects,
leveraging her expertise for the airline's potential integration
with Hawaiian Airlines.
Ardizzone started her career with Alaska Airlines in 1981,
initially in finance. In 1998, she became managing director of
marketing programs, where she oversaw Mileage Plan (Alaska's award-winning loyalty program), and
the alaskaair.com website. She later was promoted to vice president
of inflight and then to vice president of supply chain. Last year,
she was recognized for her dedication and service to the company
being named an Alaska Airlines Legend, the highest honor an
employee can achieve.
Tackett noted that Ardizzone, with four decades at the company,
brings more experience across Alaska Airlines than any other leader
and that she will be key in the new role in helping to ensure the
company is positioned to deliver a successful integration, should
its planned acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines proceed.
Jeff Helfrick named president
of McGee Air Services
New to Air Group, Jeff Helfrick
will oversee 2,000 employees at Alaska Airlines' subsidiary,
managing ground services across eight airports. He'll direct
strategy, growth, and finances, fostering a culture based on the
company's core values of safety, service, innovation and taking
care of its people.
Helfrick comes to McGee with an impressive background in
airline, airport and customer operations, including as vice
president airport operations for Hawaiian Airlines from 2016 to
2023. He also served as general manager/senior vice president of
airports for Air New Zealand and vice president of airport
operations-the Americas for Qantas Airways; and spent 20 years at
United Airlines. He has a business administration degree from
Loyola University Maryland.
"Jeff's extensive background in airline and airport operations,
both nationally and internationally, puts him in an ideal position
to lead McGee and its dedicated management team," said Wayne Newton, chairman of McGee Air Services
board of directors and Alaska Airlines' senior vice president of
airport operations and customer service. "His leadership will be
pivotal as we expand our business and become a leader in aviation
and airport services in North
America."
About Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines and our regional
partners serve more than 120 destinations across the United States, the Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Costa
Rica, Guatemala and
Mexico. We offer our guests a
premium flying experience with award-winning customer service and
an industry-leading loyalty program, Mileage Plan. With our fellow
oneworld Alliance members and additional global partners,
our guests have more choices than ever to purchase, earn or redeem
on alaskaair.com across 30 airlines and more than 1,000 worldwide
destinations. Learn more about Alaska at news.alaskaair.com and follow
@alaskaairnews for news and stories. Alaska Airlines and Horizon
Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group.
About McGee Air Services
An Alaska Airlines company,
McGee provides aircraft management and aviation services throughout
the United States. Its expertise
includes ground handling, aircraft cleaning, airport mobility, and
check-in/gate services. https://www.mcgeeairservices.com/
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alaska-airlines-board-elects-justin-neff-vice-president-of-strategic-sourcing--supply-chain-management-and-ann-ardizzone-vice-president-of-special-projects-mcgee-air-services-board-elects-jeff-helfrick-president-and-secretary-302161795.html
SOURCE Alaska Air Group, Inc.