First female COO
Constance von Muehlen will become Alaska Airlines’ first female chief operating officer on 3 April 2021. As a member of the executive committee, she will report to Ben Minicucci, who will assume his position as CEO on 31 March 2021. Von Muehlen succeeds current COO Gary Beck, who retires after a 47-year career in aviation.
Von Muehlen joined the airline in 2011 as director of engine maintenance. She is a 30-year aviation veteran and received her leadership training flying Black Hawk helicopters as a captain in the US Army. Most recently, she served as senior vice president of maintenance and engineering.
In her new role as COO, von Muehlen “will oversee the day-to-day operations on the ground and in the air for Alaska Airlines, focusing on delivering on Alaska’s commitment to genuine, caring service.” She will also chair the board of Alaska’s ground services subsidiary McGee Air Services. (amh)