Anchorage, Alaska – Ravn Air Group (“Ravn”), a leading provider of air transportation and logistics services in Alaska, announced today that it has tapped one of the airline industry’s most experienced executives to grow Alaska’s largest airline. Dave Pflieger will join Ravn as its new president, chief executive officer and member of its board of directors. Bob Hajdukovich, the airline’s current president and CEO, will be elevated to vice chairman of the board. Both new positions will be effective August 8, 2017.
Alex Harman, chairman of Ravn’s board of directors, congratulated Hajdukovich on his new role and welcomed Pflieger to the airline when announcing the news.
“Ravn’s ability to attract an industry veteran as highly respected as Dave is a testament to Bob and Ravn’s dedicated team of some 1,000-strong aviation professionals. The board and I are confident that Dave’s award-winning operational, safety and customer service record, coupled with his reputation for fostering an employee-focused culture, will take Ravn to new heights. Bolstered by a strengthened leadership bench and other planned investments, we believe that Ravn will be uniquely positioned to capitalize on the vast potential of Alaska’s robust transportation and logistics market. In short, Dave is a great addition to Ravn, and I have no doubt that his experience growing and improving companies in the aviation industry will make our airline even greater. It’s an exciting time for our company,” Harman said.
“I am honored to join the Ravn team,” said Pflieger. “Ravn’s large fleet of aircraft and its dedicated and impressive team of professionals play a critical role serving Alaskan communities, and I’m looking forward to working with everyone to expand and improve our capabilities for the benefit of our customers, industry partners, Alaska and its residents.”
Ravn Air Group is owned by private equity firms J.F. Lehman & Company and W Capital Partners as well as one of the company’s founders, the Hajdukovich family.
“One of the many reasons that I was attracted to Ravn was a strong commitment by its owners to invest in the company and its people in order to strengthen its performance and make it one of the best regional carriers in the country. This is a unique airline with a very bright future,” said Pflieger.
Hajdukovich, in his new role as vice chairman of Ravn’s board of directors, will focus on long-term growth strategies, key business and community relationships and acquisition opportunities.
“It’s been an honor to lead Ravn, and we are fortunate to have the unique opportunity to augment the current team with an executive of Dave’s experience and caliber. Forged by the progress we’ve made together, I’m confident it’s the right time for someone with Dave’s experience to join Ravn and to take our storied airline to the next level,” said Hajdukovich.