Alaska Airlines Promotes Kelley Dobbs to Vice President of Human Resources and Labor Relations

Alaska Airlines today announced the promotion of Kelley Dobbs to vice president of human resources and labor relations. A 22-year veteran of Alaska Airlines, Dobbs previously served as vice...

Alaska Airlines today announced the promotion of Kelley Dobbs to vice president of human resources and labor relations. A 22-year veteran of Alaska Airlines, Dobbs previously served as vice president of human resources, strategy and culture. She is a member of the Alaska Air Group Executive Committee, which is responsible for leadership and strategy for Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air. She also is a key proponent of the airline’s diversity and inclusion initiatives.

In her new role, Dobbs will add responsibility for the airline’s labor relations function, working with Alaska’s six union groups representing a majority of the airline’s employees, and will direct the airline’s employee benefits, employee relations, training and development, recruitment, workers compensation and employee travel services departments.

"Kelley brings tremendous expertise and background to this new role," said Bill Ayer, chairman and CEO of Alaska Airlines. "She is a proven leader with a strong ability to inspire and move people to action. She will play a significant role as we continue to make Alaska Airlines a great place to work and a great airline for customers."

Dobbs is replacing Dennis Hamel, who will retire Oct. 1. A 25-year veteran of Alaska Airlines, Hamel served as manager of employment, assistant vice president of employee relations and, since 1995, as vice president of human resources. His responsibilities were expanded to include labor relations in 2004. He led the airline’s effort to restructure its labor agreements to reflect post-9/11 market realities and was responsible for Alaska’s recent successful negotiation of a new four-year contract with its pilots and two-year contract extension with its flight attendants. He also helped create the company’s Employee Assistance Fund to support Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air employees in need due to a medical or financial crisis.

Dobbs has served in a variety of roles in her career with Alaska Airlines, on the frontline and in management. She holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Washington. She serves on the Port Jobs Board of Directors and the United Negro College Fund Pacific Northwest Advisory Board. She also serves on the Central Washington University Advisory Board and is a mentor for the MBA program at the University of Washington.

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group , together serve more than 90 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. For reservations, visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: barb.johnson@alaskaair.com

SOURCE: Alaska Airlines

CONTACT: Bobbie Egan of Alaska Airlines, +1-206-392-5101