Bedient Elected to Alaska Air Group Board

Alaska Air Group, Inc. today announced the election of Patricia M. Bedient to the company’s board of directors.

Bedient is vice president of strategic planning for Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world’s largest integrated forest products companies. A certified public accountant, Bedient served as a managing partner at Arthur Andersen LLP in Seattle prior to joining Weyerhaeuser. She also worked at the firm’s Portland and Boise offices as a partner and as a CPA during her 27-year career with Andersen.

"Patty is recognized throughout the corporate and accounting communities in the Pacific Northwest as a highly respected leader," said Bill Ayer, chairman and chief executive officer of Alaska Air Group. "We’re fortunate to have someone with her strategic and financial skills join our board, particularly in view of the challenging airline industry environment."

In addition to the Alaska Air Group board, Bedient is on the Oregon State University Foundation Board of Trustees, the Weyerhaeuser Foundation board and the advisory board of the University of Washington School of Business.

Bedient is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Washington Society of CPAs. She has also served on the boards of a variety of civic organizations, including the World Forestry Center, the City Club of Portland, St. Mary’s Academy of Portland and the Chamber of Commerce of Boise, Idaho.

Alaska Air Group is the parent company of Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air Industries. Together, Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air together serve more than 80 cities in Alaska, Mexico, Canada and the Lower 48 states.

SOURCE: Alaska Air Group, Inc.