Atlas Air Worldwide Announces Leadership Transition Plan
/Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. announced that President and Chief Executive Officer William J. (Bill) Flynn will retire from the company effective January 1, 2020, after a successful 13-year tenure, and become Chairman of the Board on that date.
The board has appointed John W. Dietrich, current Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, as Mr. Flynn’s successor. Mr. Dietrich will become President and Chief Operating Officer effective immediately, and he will retain the role as President when he assumes the role of Chief Executive Officer on January 1, 2020.
Additionally, Robert F. Agnew, current Chairman of the Board, will become the Board’s Lead Independent Director, effective January 1, 2020.
Continuing to serve on the Senior Leadership Team are Michael Steen, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, and President and Chief Executive Officer of Titan Aviation Holdings, Inc.; Spencer Schwartz, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Adam Kokas, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary; and Patricia Goodwin-Peters, Senior Vice President, Human Resources.
During Mr. Flynn’s tenure, the company has become the leading provider of outsourced aviation services. Key significant achievements include the transformation of Polar Air Cargo with the DHL joint venture; investment in the 747-8F platform; acquisition of Southern Air, which added 777 and 737 operating capabilities to the suite of services; growth in relationships with express and e-commerce customers; expansions with long-term customers; and entry into passenger charter flying. Additionally, the company launched and expanded its dry-leasing subsidiary, Titan, to become one of the leading freighter-centric leasing companies with potential for further growth.
Mr. Dietrich has over 30 years of experience in the aviation and air cargo industries, including more than 20 with Atlas Air Worldwide. He has served in his current COO role since 2006, and is responsible for all aspects of the company’s global operations. Mr. Dietrich joined the company in 1999 as Associate General Counsel and was promoted to Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary in 2004, which included responsibility for human resources and corporate communications. Prior to joining Atlas Air Worldwide, Mr. Dietrich worked for United Airlines for 13 years, serving as a corporate attorney in his last position there.