Alaska Air Group Announces New General Counsel

SEATTLE, Nov. 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — The board of directors of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK) has elected Kyle Levine vice president of legal and general counsel, effective Jan. 1, 2016. As part of a planned succession in Alaska's legal division, Levine will succeed Herman Wacker, who currently holds the position and is also chief compliance officer.

"Herman's wisdom, steady leadership and good judgment have been invaluable to the company," said Alaska CEO Brad Tilden. "We wish Herman the very best as he continues his practice of law, an area for which he is particularly talented and passionate."

Wacker joined the company in 2007 as managing director of employment and labor law and was promoted to vice-president of legal, general counsel and chief compliance officer in 2014. Wacker intends to take his first extended sabbatical since starting his legal career in Seattle in 1975, during which time he will plan future pursuits and remain available to the company as a resource.

Levine, who joined Alaska in 2006, currently serves as the company's deputy general counsel, managing director of legal and assistant corporate secretary. He previously worked for the Nixon Peabody law firm in its San Francisco office, where he was part of the aviation products liability litigation team. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University and a law degree from Southern Methodist University. He is a member of the California Bar and has applied for admission to the Washington Bar. Levine earned his private pilot's license in 1994.

"Kyle's long history of aviation and legal experience, and strong leadership skills, make him well-suited to be Air Group's next general counsel," Tilden said. "While completely realistic about the legal challenges our industry faces, Kyle has a fantastic sense of optimism and clarity that balances the needs of our people, our customers and our shareholders."

"Kyle has a great foundation in the airline industry and experience as a leader in the legal division upon which to build for the future. I wish him and everyone in the division a bright future," Wacker said.

Alaska Airlines, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together with its partner regional airlines, serves more than 100 cities through an expansive network in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Carriers in North America" in the J.D. Power North America Airline Satisfaction Study for eight consecutive years from 2008 to 2015. Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan also ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Airline Loyalty Rewards Programs" in the J.D. Power 2014 and 2015 Airline Loyalty/Rewards Program Satisfaction Report. For reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit Alaska Airlines' newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.

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SOURCE Alaska Air Group