Alaska Airlines Names MacKay Senior VP

Alaska Airlines has appointed William L. MacKay senior vice president/Alaska.

A 28-year veteran of the company, MacKay will reside in Anchorage and continue to be responsible for the airline’s public and government affairs division systemwide. In addition, he will support the carriers’ operating divisions by providing oversight, coordination and assistance to the divisions statewide.

Formerly vice president of public and government affairs at the airline’s corporate headquarters in Seattle, MacKay’s appointment is part of a recent restructuring of the airline’s overall management structure.

"This promotion reflects the important contributions Bill has made over the years to Alaska Airlines through his unique connection to the 49th State," said Bill Ayer, chairman and CEO. "More to the point, it manifests the extraordinary importance we place on maintaining, improving and expanding the quality of our passenger and air cargo service throughout Alaska."

Reporting to MacKay in Seattle to oversee the day-to-day activities of the public and government affairs department will be Joe Sprague who has been promoted to staff vice president of public and government affairs. Sprague, most recently managing director of government affairs in Washington, D.C., is a former Anchorage resident and served as director of sales for the airline in Alaska.

"With these two appointments, Alaska Airlines has two key officers with very deep roots in the state to advocate on behalf of our Alaska employees, customers and communities," said Ayer.

Prior to assuming his duties in Seattle, MacKay had served in Alaska as a regional vice president and as an assistant vice president of sales for the carrier. A 38-year veteran of the airline industry, MacKay has been with Alaska since 1976.

Active in civic affairs in both Alaska and the Lower 48, MacKay is a member of the board of directors of the University of Alaska Foundation, Nature Conservancy of Alaska, Alaska Raptor Rehabilitation Center of Sitka, Jr. Achievement of Washington and the Seattle Chamber of Commerce.

MacKay began his career in the airline industry with Continental Airlines in 1966. After joining Alaska, he served in the carrier’s marketing department until moving to Alaska as regional vice president in 1983.

SOURCE: Alaska Airlines