Horizon Air Announces Key Leadership Promotions

News provided by

Jan 05, 2016, 12:29 ET

PORTLAND, Ore., Jan 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Horizon Air announced today several changes to the company's leadership team.

Ali Donway has been named Horizon's managing director and chief pilot after she successfully served in this role on an interim basis for the last several months. With more than 25 years of experience at Alaska Air Group under his belt, Dave Burris has been appointed managing director of station operations. In addition, Lacey Pittman has assumed the role of managing director of Horizon's system operations control (SOC).

Ali Donway, Managing Director and Chief Pilot

In her new role, Donway will lead Horizon's 650 pilots in accordance with the Federal Aviation Administration's Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) and company policies, and oversee flight operations and pilot staffing.

"I'm thrilled to add someone of Ali's caliber to Horizon's leadership team. In the enhanced chief role, Ali will have expanded responsibilities in labor relations and oversee pilot communications and management," said Brad Lambert, Horizon's vice president of flight operations and SOC.

Donway has flown for Horizon for more than 15 years and was promoted to captain in 2007. She flew for Horizon as a line pilot for five years and spent the past 10 years in management as the assistant chief pilot and director of operations. Donway holds an MBA from University of Washington and a bachelor's degree in economics and literature from College of the Holy Cross. She learned to fly at the age of 24.

David Burris, Managing Director Station Operations

Burris will be responsible for leading Horizon's 1,200 airport employees in 43 cities throughout the United States and Canada.

"Dave is a strong and engaging leader with a deep commitment to our customers and his teams," said Diana Shaw, Horizon's vice president of customer service and station administration.

Burris most recently held the role of regional director of station operations overseeing Seattle, Canada and state of Alaska airport operations. Over his 25-year career at Air Group, Burris has worked at both Alaska and Horizon, having started as a reservations agent in Alaska's Anchorage call center in 1987.

Lacey Pittman, Managing Director System Operations Center

Previously the Horizon managing director of safety, Pittman transitioned to acting managing director of SOC last October and now assumes the permanent oversight, which includes dispatch, planning, crew scheduling, payroll and central load planning.

"Lacey has quickly picked up the reigns of the SOC and has been influential in several initiatives designed to improve operations," said Lambert.

Pittman, who has flown for more than 3,600 hours, joined Horizon in 2003 as a Bombardier Q200 first officer. Three years later, she was named assistant chief pilot, and in April 2012, was promoted to director of safety. She maintains her qualifications as a Q400 captain and routinely flies trips to stay current. Pittman holds a bachelor's degree from Trinity Western University.

Learn more about Horizon Air on our blog: 5 Things to Know About Horizon Air

Alaska Airlines, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together with its partner regional airlines, serves more than 100 cities through an expansive network in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Costa Rica. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Carriers in North America" in the J.D. Power North America Airline Satisfaction Study for eight consecutive years from 2008 to 2015. Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan also ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Airline Loyalty Rewards Programs" in the J.D. Power 2014 and 2015 Airline Loyalty/Rewards Program Satisfaction Report. For reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit Alaska Airlines' newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.

SOURCE Alaska Air Group