Aloha Air names Bethune as chairman
By Rick Daysog
Advertiser Staff Writer
The man who led the turnaround at Continental Airlines has been named chairman of Aloha Airlines and its parent company.
Aloha Airlines said yesterday that Gordon Bethune will head its nine-member board of directors.
Bethune served as Continental's CEO from 1994 to 2004. He took over the nation's sixth- largest airline after it emerged from bankruptcy in 1992.
In his 1998 book "From Worst to First," Bethune described how the Houston-based airline went from being a debt-ridden carrier to one of the nation's most respected airlines.
"We are fortunate to have a professional of Gordon's caliber, vision and experience join Aloha's board," said Ron Burkle, managing partner of the Yucaipa Cos., which acquired Aloha and brought it out of bankruptcy in February.
Bethune joins Aloha CEO David Banmiller, local shareholders Sonny Ching and Richard Ing and five Yucaipa executives on Aloha's board. Founded in 1946, Aloha is the state's second-largest airline, with about 3,500 employees.
A licensed commercial pilot, Bethune holds a bachelor of science degree from Abilene Christian University in Dallas and is a 1992 graduate of Harvard Business School's advanced management program.
Reach Rick Daysog at rdaysog@honoluluadvertiser.com.
