Marilyn Romano Joins Alaska Airlines as Regional Vice President in Alaska

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Aug. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Marilyn F. Romano, Alaska Airlines' new regional vice president – Alaska, came onboard the carrier today at its Regional Headquarters in Anchorage. The former vice president and publisher of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner will work in transition with Bill MacKay, the airline's outgoing senior vice president – Alaska. MacKay plans to retire Oct. 10, 2011, after serving 35 years with the airline.

"We're excited to welcome Marilyn onboard today," said Joe Sprague, Alaska Airlines' vice president of marketing. "Marilyn brings experience, proven leadership and a deep dedication to her state, which makes her uniquely qualified to oversee our public affairs activities. We look forward to having her continue our special relationship with the people and communities of Alaska as we bid farewell to Bill."

Romano worked at the Daily News-Miner throughout her nearly two decades as an Alaska resident and became the newspaper's publisher and first female executive in 2000. She also served as vice president of the Kodiak Daily Mirror.

Active in Fairbanks, Romano served on the boards of United Way and the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce and was chair of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Community Advisory Council. Romano also has served on Community Advisory boards for Alaska Airlines and the U.S. Air Force in Fairbanks.

In 2005, she received the Golden Heart Award given by the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the Chamber of Commerce for her contributions to UAF. Under Romano's direction, the Daily News-Miner provided financial support to the university's journalism and athletics departments and the UAF Museum. Extending her role on campus, she taught UAF students about marketing and customer service and has spoken to many political science classes.

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together serve 90 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Network Carriers" in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 North America Airline Satisfaction Studies(SM). For reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.

SOURCE Alaska Airlines