Ron Wright, the longtime face of Continental Airlines in Hawai'i and a tireless advocate for the state's tourism industry, has died.

He was 58.

Wright died Monday at The Queen's Medical Center after battling melanoma.

"We lost one of the good guys," said Rex Johnson, president and chief executive officer of the Hawai'i Tourism Authority.

Wright was among the first appointees the HTA's 11-member board when it was formed in 1998. At the time, the state's visitor industry was emerging from a long slump and HTA was charged with revamping the industry's marketing efforts.

Johnson, who became the HTA's leader in 2002, said Wright's easygoing demeanor and sense of humor was a steadying influence on the organization's early years.

"There were some difficult times back then because people were trying to figure out what we could do best ... to market Hawai'i while making it a better place to live," Johnson said.

A 37-year employee of Continental, Wright came to Hawai'i in 1970 as supervisor of the airline's passenger service at Ho-nolulu International Airport. He recently retired as the managing director of sales and marketing for Hawai'i.

During his tenure with the nation's fifth-largest carrier, he helped secure nonstop flights between Hawai'i and New York, Houston and Narita, Japan. In 1998, he spearhead Continental's local efforts to build a $25 million maintenance facility at Honolulu Airport.

The project added hundreds of jobs and helped stimulate the local economy, Johnson said.

Wright recently was named chief executive officer of Get2Hawaii, an online travel company.

"He was invaluable as the face of Continental Airlines in Hawai'i, whether dealing with the traveling public or the highest levels of government," said Larry Kellner, Continental's chairman and chief executive officer.

"Our condolences go out from the Continental team to his family."

Wright also was active in local charitable and civic causes. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and the Filipino Chamber of Commerce.

He also served on the board of Diamond Head Theatre and was chairman of the American Heart Association Heart Walk.

In 2005, Wright served as co-chair of the Honolulu Centennial Celebration Commission, which planned the anniversary of the city's founding.

"He did a fabulous job in organizing a celebration we'll long remember, but that was so typical of the leadership and energy he brought to every task," said Mayor Mufi Hannemann.

"Ron made his mark in the visitor industry as the longtime managing director of Continental Airlines. But he continued his active leadership in travel and tourism circles and was unstinting in his contributions to the industry and our Island economy."

Wright attended Texas Tech University and the University of Hawai'i.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Lauren.

Services will be held July 5 at 11 a.m. at St. Stephen's Church at 2747 Pali Highway.

"He gave so much to the industry and was a great community supporter," said John Votsis, a longtime friend and a vice president of sales at Aloha Airlines.

"He went away too soon."

Reach Rick Daysog at rdaysog@honoluluadvertiser.com.