Tad Hutcheson and Jim Tabor Bring Experience and Dedication to New V.P. RolesORLANDO, Fla., Oct 26, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- AirTran Airways, a
subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), today announced that its
Board of Directors has elected current Director of Marketing Tad Hutcheson and
current General Manager of Operations Jim Tabor to the positions of vice
president of marketing and sales and vice president of operations,
respectively. Collectively, Hutcheson and Tabor bring over a half-century of
airline industry experience and have been a key part of AirTran Airways'
continued success.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051026/NYW166-a
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051026/NYW166-b )
Tad Hutcheson will assume the role of vice president of marketing and
sales, a new position in which he will oversee marketing, sales, public
relations, advertising, community affairs and airtran.com. Since joining
AirTran Airways in 1997 as the director of marketing, Hutcheson has overseen
all facets of AirTran Airways' award-winning marketing programs.
A native of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, Hutcheson graduated from The
McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tenn., where he received a distinguished
alumnus award in 2005. He received a bachelor of arts from King College of
Bristol, Tenn., where he majored in both French literature and business
administration. In addition, Hutcheson completed international marketing
studies at St. Peter's College, Oxford University, and the International
Business Institute in Europe. Hutcheson also earned an MBA from Wake Forest
University in Winston-Salem, N.C.
A resident of Atlanta, Ga., Hutcheson is involved in the community. He is
a graduate of Leadership Atlanta and serves on the Boards of the Atlanta
Business League, the Atlanta College of Art, Junior Achievement of Georgia,
Leadership Atlanta, Travelers' Aid of Metropolitan Atlanta, the Georgia
Chamber of Commerce and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. The savvy
marketer has received a number of accolades for his industry leadership and
AirTran Airways programs, including two Rising Star awards by Travel Agent
Magazine and recognition by PRWeek for heading one of the nation's top
corporate public relations teams.
"Tad's marketing expertise has been instrumental to AirTran Airways'
success over the past eight years," said Robert L. Fornaro, AirTran Airways
president and chief operating officer. "He brings creative vision and
strategic business thinking to our communication with customers, Crew Members
and investors."
Jim Tabor has been promoted to the vice president of operations role after
nearly five years of outstanding service as AirTran Airways' general manager
of operations. Tabor is responsible for the airline's system operations
control (SOC), dispatch, crew planning/scheduling, operations analysis,
charter operations and ATC/airfield operations.
Previously Tabor has served as senior director - SOC for America West
Airlines in Tempe, Ariz., and senior director of operations for US Airways in
Pittsburgh, Pa. He started his aviation career in 1981 at Piedmont Airlines in
Roanoke, Va.
At AirTran Airways, Tabor has developed the operations functions to
support the company's vigorous growth plan and to assure continued
effectiveness in the operations area.
"Jim's analysis and planning for AirTran Airways' operations have brought
new efficiencies to our airline," comments Fornaro. "As a seasoned industry
expert, he has streamlined daily operations and found new ways to lower costs
and improve operations."
Tabor earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Eastern Nazarene
College in Wollaston, Mass. He also possesses an FAA aircraft dispatcher
certificate. Tabor has two daughters: one resides in Columbus, Ohio, and the
other and her family reside in Algonquin, Ill. He and his wife currently live
in Orlando, Fla.
AirTran Airways, one of America's largest low-fare airlines with 6,700
friendly, professional Crew Members, operates over 500 daily flights to 49
destinations. The airline's hub is at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International
Airport, where it is the second largest carrier. AirTran Airways recently
added the fuel-efficient Boeing 737-700 aircraft to create America's youngest
all-Boeing fleet. The airline is also the first carrier to install XM
Satellite Radio on a commercial aircraft. For reservations or more
information, visit airtran.com (America Online Keyword: AirTran).
Media Contacts: Tad Hutcheson
678.254.7442
tad.hutcheson@airtran.com
Judy Graham-Weaver
678.254.7448
judy.graham-weaver@airtran.com
SOURCE AirTran Airways
Tad Hutcheson, +1-678-254-7442, tad.hutcheson@airtran.com, or Judy Graham-Weaver,
+1-678-254-7448, judy.graham-weaver@airtran.com
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