Alaska Airlines Names Tom Kemp System Chief Pilot

Alaska Airlines has named Captain Tom Kemp system chief pilot. In the post, Kemp is responsible for the safe operation of Alaska flights, including leading the airline’s 1,500 line pilots and ensuring flight operations comply with Federal Air Regulations and company policies. He also works with other airline divisions to coordinate policies and procedures that affect aircraft operations.

Kemp succeeds Captain Robert Spero, who has chosen to return to his duties as a check airman and aircrew program designee.

"Tom is a very experienced and well-respected flight operations leader who has dedicated his career to mentoring and training others," said Ben Forrest, vice president of flight operations. "We are fortunate to have someone of Tom’s caliber lead our pilot group."

Kemp, who has nearly 16,000 hours of flight time as a military and civilian pilot, was formerly Seattle base chief pilot for Alaska Airlines. As MD-80 fleet captain from 1999 to 2005, he had overall responsibility for procedures on that type of aircraft and supervised 32 check airmen, instructor evaluators and airplane program designees, who grant Federal Aviation Administration aircraft type ratings to pilots and monitor their performance.

Kemp joined Alaska in 1987 as a captain on Boeing MD-80 aircraft after spending four years flying for Jet America Airlines.

A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Kemp served as a commander, instructor and flight examiner in the Air Force and Air Force Reserve for 21 years.

"We appreciate and thank Captain Spero for his service, loyalty, pilot advocacy and leadership," Forrest said. "During his tenure, he spearheaded several programs that will benefit Flight Operations’ efficiency and, in particular, the pilot group long into the future. We are grateful that he’ll continue to contribute significantly to our training efforts and flight operations."

Alaska Airlines and sister carrier, Horizon Air, together serve 88 cities through an expansive network throughout Alaska, the Lower 48, Canada and Mexico. For reservations visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom.

SOURCE: Alaska Airlines