Our leadership team

Mike has been the President & CEO at Saltchuk Aviation, LLC since November 2024. He leads the Saltchuk Aviation Family of Companies, focusing on strategic direction and overseeing overall safety, compliance, productivity, reliability, and improvement initiatives.  Previously, he served as the company’s Chief Operating Officer for a year where he oversaw airline operations and commercial organization.  

Prior to joining the Saltchuk Aviation team, Mike enjoyed a nearly 20-year career with SkyWest Airlines, a regional carrier with a fleet of over 500 airplanes and over 2,500 daily flights. During his tenure, he held several leadership positions including Operations Analyst, Executive Development, VP Market Development, and ultimately, Chief Operating Officer. In addition, Mike serves on several boards including HydroLogistics and Energy Innovations Solutions, Inc.  

Mike is a graduate from Brigham Young University, earning a BS in Manufacturing Engineering, an MS in Mechanical Engineering, and an MBA in Product Development and Finance. 

John has been the Chief Financial Officer at Saltchuk Aviation, LLC since June 2024. He is responsible for providing strategic leadership and planning, financial analysis, accounting management, and directing the fiscal function and performance of the company.

John began his aviation career working the ramp at a local airport and has over 25 years’ experience in the airline and aviation industry, serving in various capacities ranging from network planning to divisional controller to CFO and President. Prior to joining Saltchuk Aviation, John held Finance and Operational leadership positions at United Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines. John also has a background in Fleet Development and was most recently President and Accountable Manager of a European based A330 charter company with global operations. 

John has an MBA from Indiana University and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and economics from Stanford University. He also holds a multi-engine, instrument pilot’s license.

Ann has been the Chief Administrative Officer at Saltchuk Aviation, LLC since 2012. She provides managerial oversight on general administration, contracting, risk management, technical publications, and marketing.

Prior to joining Saltchuk Aviation, Ann served as a principal in the consulting firm of Aurora Consulting, which provides business development, organizational consulting, and management consulting services throughout Alaska. She has over 30 years of experience providing feasibility studies, business plans, organizational consulting, market research, development plans and project implementation assistance essential to successful business growth. Ann served as the Vice President of Operations of Alaska Village Initiatives/Community Enterprise Development Corporation of Alaska. During her 17-year tenure, she was responsible for the execution of overall corporate goals and objectives as well as managed a variety of statewide technical assistance, lending, and economic development projects.

Ann holds a bachelor’s in education from the University of Florida as well as an MBA from the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Christi has been the Chief Information Officer at Saltchuk Aviation, LLC since January 2023. She is responsible for the strategic direction and oversight of all elements of the Saltchuk Aviation ITS platforms and services, including enterprise applications, system architecture, service desk functions, and cybersecurity.  

Prior to joining Saltchuk Aviation, Christi worked six years for Saltchuk Resources as the VP of Information Technology.  She has also worked for Accenture, Weyerhaeuser, Toms Shoes, and Outerwall, performing a wide variety of IT implementation projects and managing IT teams.   

Christi holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in engineering from the University of Arizona.

Kyle has been the President of Aloha Air Cargo since November 2024. He is responsible for the strategic direction and oversight of all aspects of Aloha Air Cargo’s operations.

Kyle joined Aloha Air Cargo in 2008 and has held leadership roles including Director of Safety & Security, Director of Quality, Chief Inspector, and Director of Maintenance before serving as Vice President & General Manager from 2022 to 2024.

Prior to Aloha Air Cargo, Kyle worked for Aloha Airlines, Alpine Air, and served in the United States Air Force from 1996 to 2007.

Kyle proudly brings more than 30 years of aerospace maintenance experience and over 20 years of quality assurance expertise. He studied at Defense Air University and completed specialized training in logistics management, system acquisitions, quality management, and applied science.

Dave has been the President of Northern Air Cargo since March 2025. He is responsible for the strategic direction and oversight of all aspects of NAC’s operations, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient cargo service to communities across Alaska.

Dave joined the Saltchuk family of companies in 2006 and has held multiple leadership roles, including President and CEO of Northern Aviation Services (now called Saltchuk Aviation) and Senior Vice President & Managing Director for Alaska at Saltchuk, where he worked closely with the company’s Alaska-based businesses on business development, public policy, philanthropy, and community engagement.

A lifelong Alaskan raised in Nome, Dave serves on multiple not-for-profit boards with a focus on youth development and responsible natural resource development.

Lee, an Inupiaq Eskimo from Unalakleet, Alaska, has been a dedicated member of Ryan Air since 1999. Over the years, he has taken on a variety of roles, including Mechanic's Helper, Cargo and Customer Service Agent, Pilot, Station Manager, Director of Safety, Chief Pilot, and Vice President. These experiences have shaped his journey and guided him to his current role as President of the company. In this position, Lee leads his team with the mission of raising the quality of life for the people Ryan Air serves.

With over 10,000 hours of flight experience, Lee continues to fly for the company and values the time spent with both the Ryan Air team and their customers. Outside of work, Lee enjoys spending time with his family, camping, fishing, and gathering traditional foods. In his free time, he plays hockey in a local league, maintaining a strong connection to his community.

Eric has been the Vice President & General Manager at Northern Air Maintenance Services (NAMS) since 2004. He oversees the Part 145 Repair Station dedicated to servicing and maintaining customer aircraft. This includes the decision making related to budgets, contracts, strategic planning, and the growth of the organization.

Prior to joining NAMS, Eric spent two years at AAR Aircraft Services in Oklahoma doing heavy checks on aircraft.

Eric received his associate degree and A&P certificate from the Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma (now the Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology). After working as a mechanic, he continued his academic career at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University where he got his bachelor’s degree in professional Aeronautics.

Emily has been the Vice President of Human Resources at Saltchuk Aviation, LLC since December 2024. She is responsible for leading the enterprise-wide HR strategy across the Saltchuk Aviation Family of Companies, with a focus on workforce planning, employee engagement, labor relations, and organizational effectiveness. Her work supports a high-performance culture grounded in safety, compliance, and operational excellence.

Emily joined Saltchuk Aviation in April 2023 as Director of Human Resources, supporting Northern Air Cargo, Northern Air Maintenance Services, and Saltchuk Aviation Shared Services. Prior to joining Saltchuk Aviation, she held senior HR leadership roles at Ostara USA, Beck Flavors, and Lynden Air Cargo, where she led human resources teams across multi-state and international operations.

Emily holds a bachelor’s degree from Drury University and a master’s degree in education from Oregon State University. She is also a certified SHRM-CP.

Rich has been the Vice President of Strategic Projects and Performance Improvement at Saltchuk Aviation Shared Services since May 2024. He is responsible for planning, developing, and managing strategic projects and profit improvement initiatives, with a focus on enhancing overall business execution.   

Prior to joining Saltchuk Aviation Shared Services, Rich worked for over twenty years in a variety of leadership positions at Nordstrom, including increasing progressive roles in finance, planning and analysis, and strategy, which culminated in his role as Vice President of Finance.  

Rich holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a master’s in Marine Affairs (MMA) from the University of Washington.

Gideon Garcia joined Northern Air Cargo (NAC) in 2016 as General Manager. Prior to NAC, Gideon was Chief Operating Officer of CIRI Alaska Tourism (CATC). There he oversaw hotel operations and marine tours in Southcentral Alaska. He spent 18 years working for Holland America and HAP-Alaska prior to CATC. During this period, he managed a variety of business units in Fairbanks, Denali, Seward, and Anchorage overseeing transportation and logistics operations for Holland America and Princess Cruise lines.

Gideon has been involved in community service organizations including Big Brothers/Big Sisters Fairbanks and the Fairbanks and Anchorage East Rotary Clubs. He currently serves on the Alaska Aviation Advisory Board.

Gideon has a B.A. in Liberal Arts from The Evergreen State College and an MBA from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He served in the US Army Reserves for ten years working in military intelligence.