Horizon and Alaska Airlines name new officers

Business Wire, Oct 17, 1995

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 17, 1995--Alaska Air Group Inc. today announced that George D. Bagley has been elected the new president and chief executive officer of its Seattle-based subsidiary Horizon Air Industries Inc.

Bagley will replace Kathleen H. Iskra, who is resigning because of her desire to pursue other professional career opportunities and, in the short-term, to spend more time with her family.

"Kathy has been an outstanding leader and a key contributor in her various positions at Horizon Air and Alaska Airlines," said John F. Kelly, president, CEO and chairman of Alaska Air Group. "Though we respect her reasons for making this decision, we are sorry to see her leave. We wish her every success in the future."

Iskra was named Horizon's president and CEO in 1994. Prior to that she was staff vice president/finance and controller of Alaska Airlines and controller of Alaska Air Group.

Bagley joined Horizon Air in 1983, when it acquired Transwestern Airlines, the Utah-based commuter of which he was president and chief executive. At Horizon he was senior vice president of operations.

His responsibilities included overseeing management of the flight operations, maintenance and inflight service groups. He joined Alaska in 1993, where he was vice president/flight operations. Early in his career he was a pilot for Aspen Airways and a test pilot for Avco Lycoming. Bagley holds a degree in aeronautics from Utah State University.

"We feel particularly fortunate to have an individual with George's broad experience, integrity, leadership skills and technical expertise to take this position," commented Kelly.

Alaska Airlines has selected Captain Mike Swanigan to replace Bagley as the carrier's vice president/flight operations. He will be responsible for managing Alaska's flight crew, pilot training, flight control, fuel administration and flight operations departments.

"We have every confidence that Captain Swanigan will do an outstanding job in his new position," noted Kelly. "His love of flying and his flight deck experience, along with his team-building and leadership abilities should serve us well."

Swanigan has been with the airline since 1980, became a B727 captain in 1985 and has been chief pilot since 1993. A graduate of the University of Alaska, Swanigan's early career included banking and broadcasting. He held several positions with the Alaska USA Federal Credit Union and was vice president of National Bank of Alaska.

Bagley and Swanigan will both assume their new positions on Oct. 23, 1995. Alaska Air Group Inc. is the holding company for Alaska Airlines Inc. and Horizon Air Industries Inc. The two airlines serve more than 70 cities in Alaska, Mexico, Canada, Russia and seven Western states.

CONTACT: Alaska Air, Seattle

Greg Witter, 206/431-3799