Alaska Air Elects CEO Brad Tilden Chairman

The board of directors of Alaska Air Group has elected Brad Tilden chairman of Air Group and its subsidiary carriers, Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air. A 22-year veteran of the company, he currently serves as president and chief executive officer. Tilden succeeds Bill Ayer, who will retire Dec. 31 after spending 31 years at Air Group and serving as president, CEO and chairman during his last decade at the company. Ayer remained as chairman when Tilden was elected CEO in February 2012. "Under Brad's leadership, Alaska Air Group has continued to set the bar in safety and operational performance, provide award-winning service, innovate to make flying easier, grow our network, and achieve record financial results. His new role as chairman completes an orderly leadership transition that the board has been planning for years," Ayer said. "I can't imagine a better way to have spent the past three decades. I feel fortunate to have worked with the most talented people in the business, and I'm confident the team will continue to build on their current success." Tilden, who is 52, joined Alaska Airlines from Price Waterhouse in 1991.