Decision Makers
| Name (plus bio) |
Position |
| Gregory Stephens |
President, Air Midwest, Inc |
| Michael K. Lotz |
President and Chief Financial Officer |
| Paul F. Foley |
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer |
| Robert Hornberg |
CIO & Vice President |
| Steve Christi |
Chief Pilot |
| Carter Leake |
Senior Vice President, US Airway Express |
| Edward Wegel |
Senior Vice President, Corp Planning |
| F. Carter Leake |
Senior Vice President, Planning |
| Michael Ferverda |
Senior Vice President, Operations |
| Robert B. Stone |
Senior Vice President & Treasurer |
| Allan Lowery |
Vice President, Training |
| Brian Davis |
Vice President, Technology Operations |
| Brian S. Gillman |
General Counsel, Vice President & Secretary |
| Carla Barkhurst |
Vice President, Customer Service |
| Charles Kettler |
Vice President, Purchasing & Technology Services |
| Eric Gust |
Vice President, Safety & Regulatory Compliance |
| Jeff P. Poeschl |
Vice President, Finance |
| Joe Machalek |
Vice President, Technical Services |
| Kristen Brookshire |
Vice President, Services |
| Mickey Moman |
Vice President, Trng |
| Rodena Turner Bojorquez |
Vice President, HR |
| Sharon L. Goddin |
Vice President, Inflight |
| Zakaullah Khogyani |
Vice President, Flight Operations |
| Ashok Shah |
Finance Planning & Analysis Director |
| Bud Tyler |
Contract Revenue Management Director |
| Christopher Pappaioanou |
Legal Affairs Director |
| Dennis Dalton |
Warranty Director |
| Donna Buckingham |
Director It |
| Jesse George |
Director, Planning |
| Joe Resnik |
Maintenance Director |
| John Baker |
Senior Director, Crew Resources |
| John Edens |
Internal Audit Director |
| Kevin Alexander |
Accounting Director |
| Mickey Bowman |
Director Planning |
| Robert Ramirez |
Director, Quality Assurance, Air Midwest |
| Ron Debrick |
Director, Operations |
| Troy Lambeth |
Senior Director, Sys Operations |
| Joe Marchese |
General Manager, Reg Aircraft Services |
| David K. Butler |
Senior Vice President, Administration & Human Resources |
| Tom Chang |
First Officer |
Board of Directors
Jonathan began his aviation career in 1987 with Air LA, a small commuter airline based in Los Angeles, California, where his responsibilities ranged from finance and planning to baggage handling and aircraft cleaning. Jonathan's first contact with Mesa occurred in the summer of 1988 during the negotiation of Air LA's sublease of a Mesa aircraft and in 1989, Jonathan accepted a job offer from Mesa with the prestigious title of "Assistant to the President". At Mesa Jonathan was eventually responsible for all scheduling, pricing, fleet planning and acquisitions.
Over the next six years, working with Mesa's CEO Larry Risley, Jonathan directed Mesa's acquisition of Aspen Airways (United Express), Air Midwest (US Air Express), WestAir (United Express) and Crown Airways. During this time, Mesa's annual revenues grew from $11 million to over $500 million, pretax income rose from $240,000 to $45 million and the number of employees increased from 165 to 3,000. In recognition of its success, the Company was named 1992 Regional Airline of the Year by Air Transport World magazine.
At the time of Mesa's purchase, WestAir was both the largest, as well as the most unprofitable, independent regional airline in the US. Following Mesa's purchase, Jonathan was appointed President of WestAir. After a significant restructuring, WestAir broke its string of ten consecutive quarterly losses and posted a pretax profit exceeding $15 million, up from a pretax loss of $12 million twelve months earlier.
Returning to Mesa headquarters in 1993, Jonathan worked closely with Texas Pacific Group and Continental in the bankruptcy reorganization of America West. In recognition of Mesa's help in the America West restructuring, as well as Mesa's operational capabilities, the Company was chosen to provide regional operations for America West. In addition, Mesa invested $20 million in America West which it later sold for a $47 million profit.
As a result of the work Jonathan performed in the America West restructuring, Continental's Chairman and General Partner of the Texas Pacific Group David Bonderman offered Jonathan the opportunity to become President and CEO of Continental Express. Like WestAir, Continental Express had been significantly unprofitable for a number of years and with the lessons learned from his experience at Mesa, Jonathan and his new management team quickly implemented a major restructuring. Jonathan also concurrently served as Senior Vice President Airport Operations for Continental Airlines overseeing the successful restructuring of Continental's operations. In recognition of his accomplishments at Continental, Jonathan was selected as Regional Airline Executive of the Year for 1995, an award presented by Commuter/Regional Airline News - the industry's publication of record - and Rolls-Royce.
After Continental chose not to spin off the now-successful Continental Express, Ornstein accepted an offer from Richard Branson to develop a low-cost, low-fare jet carrier in Europe. In 1996, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Express, based in Brussels, Belgium. During his tenure at Virgin Express, Jonathan took the company from a fledgling startup to a publicly traded company operating a fleet of over 25 737s throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. By 1998 the airline's passenger traffic increased tenfold and generated annual revenues in excess of $300 million and operating profits of $16 million.
While in Europe Jonathan formed Barlow Partners, an investment group created to invest in undervalued airline equities. Mesa's financial and operational performance had deteriorated significantly since 1996, with losses over the previous two years exceeding $100 million and by April of 1998 the company was experiencing losses of approximately $1 million per week and had approximately $8 million in cash. Barlow acquired approximately 8% of Mesa's common stock and placed two of its Partners on the Company's Board of Directors. While retaining his position as Chairman of Virgin, Jonathan resigned as CEO and accepted Mesa's offer to return as President and CEO where he orchestrated a comprehensive operational and financial restructuring, paving the way for Mesa's return to profitability.
Since returning in 1998, Jonathan oversaw the elimination of over 150 turboprops, the reestablishment of a partnership with United, raising of over $200 million of convertible debt financing; the ordering of 128 regional jets from Bombardier and Embraer -- valued at over $2.5 billion -- growing from 4 regional jets when he arrived to 132 currently, hiring a dynamic new management team; firming up long-term codeshare agreements with America West and US Airways and the institution of a number of innovative employee programs. In addition, following the attacks of September 11, 2001, Jonathan was the first CEO to voluntarily cut his pay by 50 percent, created a voluntary pay reduction / incentive program that resulted in all participating employees receiving effectively a 7.5% bonus and negotiated, in record-time, new pilot and flight attendant contracts. The Company was recently named 2005 Regional Airline of the Year by Air Transport World magazine.
Following the restructuring, Mesa has been at the forefront of the regional airline industry and has reported 26 profitable quarters out of a total of 27 quarters. However, on one point, Jonathan is clear; the turnaround at Mesa air Group continues. He credits Mesa's continued success with the teamwork and efforts of the airline's 5,000 employees. Jonathan and the Mesa team continue their efforts to provide job security and opportunities for all its employees. The focus moving forward is to maintain Mesa's superior operational performance, maintain its strong relationships with its airline partners; expand opportunistically and profitably, while increasing and shareholder value.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Mesa Air Group, Inc. |
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
Current |
| Mesa Airlines, Inc. |
President |
Current |
| Virgin Group Ltd. |
CEO of Virgin Express |
Former |
| Continental Express Inc. |
President and CEO |
Former |
Michael J. Lotz, President and Chief Operating Officer, joined the Company in July 1998. In January 1999, Mr. Lotz became Chief Operating Officer. In August 1999, Mr. Lotz became the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and in January 2000 returned to the position of Chief Operating Officer. On June 22, 2000, Mr. Lotz was appointed President of the Company. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Lotz served as Chief Operating Officer of Virgin Express, S.A./N.V., a position he held from October 1996 to June 1998. Previously, Mr. Lotz was employed by Continental Airlines, Inc., most recently as Vice President of Airport Operations, Properties and Facilities at Continental Express.
Paul Foley, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, joined the Company on October 1, 2008. From September 1999, Mr. Foley served as President and Chief Executive Officer of MAIR Holdings Inc. (“MAIR”), a holding company for regional air carriers, as well as a member of its Board of Directors and its Executive and Safety Committees. In addition, from September 1999 until October 2002, Mr. Foley also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Mesaba Aviation, a regional air carrier based in Minneapolis, Minnesota and formerly a subsidiary of MAIR.
Michael Ferverda, Senior Vice President — Operations and Chief Deputy General Manager of Kunpeng, joined the Company in 1990. He was appointed President of Freedom Airlines in May 2002 and Senior Vice President — Operations in February 2003. Prior to the appointments, Mr. Ferverda served as the Senior Vice President of Operations for Mesa Airlines, Inc. Mr. Ferverda has served the Company in various capacities including pilot, Flight Instructor/Check Airman, Assistant Chief Pilot, FAA Designated Examiner, FAA Director of Operations and Divisional Vice President. Mr. Ferverda was a pilot with Eastern Airlines from 1973 to 1989. Prior to joining Eastern Airlines, Mr. Ferverda served as an Aviator in the United States Navy. Mr. Ferverda is a graduate of Indiana University.
Brian S. Gillman, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, joined the Company in February 2001. From July 1996 to February 2001, he served as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Vanguard Airlines, Inc. in Kansas City, Missouri. From September 1994 to July 1996, Mr. Gillman was a corporate associate in the law firm of Stinson, Mag & Fizzell, P.C., Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. Gillman received his Juris Doctorate and B.B.A. in Accounting from the University of Iowa in 1994 and 1991, respectively.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Mesa Air Group, Inc. |
General Counsel, Vice President & Secretary |
Current |
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Mesa Air Group, Inc. |
Vice President, Purchasing & Technology Services |
Current |
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Mesa Air Group, Inc. |
Vice President, Safety & Regulatory Compliance |
Current |
David K. Butler, Senior Vice President, Administration & Human Resources, joined the Company in November 2006. From August 2003 to November 2006, he served as Vice President for Human Resources of Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. From May 1999 to August 2003, he served as Vice President for Human Resources for the Durham and Manchester campuses of the University of New Hampshire. Mr. Butler received his Master of Arts in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix in 1998 and he received his Bachelor of Arts in Human Services from California State University in 1980.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Mesa Air Group, Inc. |
Senior Vice President, Administration & Human Resources |
Current |
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Mesa Air Group, Inc. |
First Officer |
Current |
| Flight Careers |
|
Current |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University |
|
Former |
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Dontflygo |
Director, Member of the Compensation Committee, Senior Vice President, the Washington Group |
Current |
| Mesa Air Group, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| U.S. Chamber of Commerce |
Chief Economist |
Former |
| Georgetown University |
Master's of Economics |
Former |
| American University |
B.S. |
Former |
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| MediaBay, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Associated Asphalt Inc. |
|
Current |
| DiamondRock Hospitality Company |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Mercury Air Group Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Friedman, Billings, Ramsey Group, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| World Airways, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| World Air Holdings, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Thayer Capital Partners, L.P. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Gvi Security Solutions, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| JER Investors Trust Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Mesa Air Group, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| The Hobart West Group Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Thayer Capital Partners, L.P. |
advisory director |
Former |
| World Airways, Inc. |
Director |
Former |
| Loyola College in Maryland |
Master of Business Administration |
Former |
| Georgetown University |
Bachelor of Arts In English |
Former |
Joseph L. Manson has been a director of the Company since July 2001. Mr. Manson is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of the law firm Baker & Hostetler, LLP. Prior to his partnership at Baker & Hostetler, Mr. Manson was a partner with Piper Rudnick, LLP (formerly Verner Lipfert Burnhard McPherson and Hand) where he had been employed since 1975.
Maurice A. Parker has been a director of the Company since November 1998. From 1978 to January 1997, Mr. Parker served as a Federal Mediator for the National Mediation Board of the United States government. From 1997 to the present, Mr. Parker has worked as an independent arbitrator, mediator and consultant. In 1998, Mr. Parker obtained his Doctorate in Jurisprudence from South Texas College of Law. Mr. Parker has served as Executive Director of Regional Aviation Partners since April 2001.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Peter F. Nostrand |
|
Current |
| SunTrust Bank |
Chairman |
Former |
| The Holland Society |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Mesa Air Group, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| The Peace Company |
Head of the Christmas Pageant |
Former |
| Greater Washington Initiative |
Chair |
Former |
| University of Virginia |
Master's Degree |
Former |
| Amherst College |
Bachelor's Degree |
Former |
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Philadelphia Media Holdings LLC |
Executive Vice President, Finance |
Current |
| Brunini |
|
Current |
| Mesa Air Group, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Law, Snakard & Gambill, P.C. |
|
Former |
| The University of Mississippi |
Doctorate |
Former |
| University of Mississippi |
Doctorate |
Former |
| Birmingham-Southern College |
Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance |
Former |
Robert Beleson was elected as a director of the Company in October 2003. Since May 2002, Mr. Beleson has provided marketing and strategic planning consulting services to select clients in the aviation and wine and spirit industries. This consulting service was formally organized as Brookfield Marketing, LLC on October 1, 2003. From July 2001 to April 2002 he served as Chief Marketing Officer for Avolar, a former Division of United Airlines. From March 1996 to December 2000 he served as President of M. Shanken Communications, Inc., New York, N.Y. From May 1991 to February 1996 he served as Chief Marketing Officer for Playboy Enterprises. Mr. Beleson received a B.S. from Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Executive News
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Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals Rules in Favor of Mesa Air Group
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Hilo flights likely to cost more
Honolulu Star Bulletin - 7/10/09 - View Story
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OTCPicks.com: OTCPicks.com Stocks to Watch for Monday, July 6th EDWY, MESA, BCON, NTNI, AVVH
TradingMarkets - 7/06/09 - View Story
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US Court of Appeals rules in favor of Mesa Air Group
eTurboNews - 7/03/09 - View Story
-
Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals Rules in Favor of Mesa Air Group - Affirms Preliminary Injunction Against Delta Air Lines
SmartBrief - 7/02/09 - View Story
-
Court nixes Delta cancellation of Mesa Air contract
The Business Journal of Phoenix - 7/02/09 - View Story
-
Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals Rules in Favor of Mesa Air Group - Affirms Preliminary...
Forbes.com - 7/02/09 - View Story
-
Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals Rules in Favor of Mesa Air Group - Affirms Preliminary...
Reuters - 7/02/09 - View Story
-
Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals Rules in Favor of Mesa Air Group - Affirms Preliminary Injunction Against Delta Air Lines
Baltimore Business Journal - 7/02/09 - View Story
-
Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals Rules in Favor of Mesa Air Group - Affirms Preliminary Injunction Against Delta Air Li
NewsBlaze - 7/02/09 - View Story
-
Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals Rules in Favor of Mesa Air Group - Affirms Preliminary Injunction Against Delta Air Lines
Stockwatch - 7/02/09 - View Story