PHOENIX , Jan. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Mesa Air Group Inc. (Nasdaq: MESA) today announced changes to its senior management team.
Jorn Bates has been appointed chief operating officer, Mesa Airlines. Jorn joined Mesa Air Group in January 2007 as vice president east coast operations and later as president Freedom Airlines. Prior to joining Mesa, Jorn was at Delta Air Lines for 15 years in a variety of management roles including general manager of operations and performance for Delta Connection. Jorn served with the United States Marine Corps, received his Bachelors degree in professional aeronautics from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and an MBA from Shorter College.
Joe Serratelli joins Mesa as chief operating officer Freedom Airlines, following a career of more than 25 years with Delta Air Lines. During his time at Delta, Joe held a variety of management roles in reservations, sales, field operations, airport customer service and most recently was vice president operations and productivity for Song, Delta's low cost airline subsidiary.
Both Jorn and Joe will report to Michael Lotz , president and chief operating officer Mesa Air Group Inc.
Mickey Moman is appointed vice president safety and regulatory compliance - Mesa Air Group. Mickey joined Mesa Airlines in October 1987 and was appointed vice president of flight operations with Mesa Airlines in May 2002 . Prior to employment with Mesa, Mickey served eight years with the FAA and before that, eight years in the US Air Force. Mickey started with Mesa as a line pilot flying the Beech 99 and has served the company in multiple capacities including pilot, chief pilot, director of operations, vice president training and most recently as vice president flight operations - Mesa Airlines.
Eric Gust is appointed vice president flight operations Mesa Airlines. Eric joined Mesa in February 1995 in Bull Head City, Arizona, as a mechanic and inspector on the Beech 1900Ds. In February 1997 , he transferred to the internal evaluations department, working as an airworthiness auditor. He is qualified as a pilot on the CRJ and was most recently vice president safety and regulatory compliance. Eric obtained his Bachelor of Science in aviation management from Metropolitan State College of Denver .
Zaka Khogyani is appointed director of operations Mesa Airlines. Zaka joined Mesa in 1995 and has held various positions in flight operations and the operations center, most recently as senior director dispatch for Mesa Airlines and previously vice president of flight operations for Air Midwest. Mr. Khogyani was the company's first ERJ pilot and also flies as a CRJ captain. Mr. Khogyani received a Bachelor of Science in aeronautical science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
"This restructuring will ensure Mesa continues to have an experienced team providing the very best in professional services to our people, passengers and valued airline partners," said Mesa Air Group Chairman and CEO, Jonathan Ornstein . "I am confident they will each make a significant contribution to Mesa as we continue to explore new opportunities to grow and develop our business and delighted Joe has joined our team," Ornstein added.
Mesa currently operates 183 aircraft with over 1,100 daily system departures to 138 cities, 40 states, the District of Columbia, Canada , the Bahamas and Mexico . Mesa operates as Delta Connection, US Airways Express and United Express under contractual agreements with Delta Air Lines, US Airways and United Airlines, respectively, and independently as Mesa Airlines and go!. In June 2006 Mesa launched inter-island Hawaiian service as go!. This operation links Honolulu to the neighbor island airports of Hilo, Kahului, Kona and Lihue. The Company, founded by Larry and Janie Risley in New Mexico in 1982, has approximately 5,000 employees and was awarded Regional Airline of the Year by Air Transport World magazine in 1992 and 2005. Mesa is a member of the Regional Airline Association and Regional Aviation Partners
