Atlas Air Worldwide said today that president and chief executive officer (CEO) William Flynn will retire from the company effective 1 January, 2020 and will be replaced by John Dietrich – current executive vice president (EVP) and chief operating officer (COO).
On his retirement, Flynn (pictured below) will become chairman of the board. He has been president and CEO for the last 13 years.
Dietrich will become president and COO effective immediately, and he will retain the role as president when he assumes the role of CEO on 1 January, 2020.
Additionally, Robert Agnew, current chairman of the board, will become the board’s lead independent director, from the first day of next year.
Continuing to serve on the senior leadership team are Michael Steen, EVP and chief commercial officer, and president and CEO of Titan Aviation Holdings, Inc.; Spencer Schwartz, EVP and chief financial officer; Adam Kokas, EVP general counsel and secretary; and Patricia Goodwin-Peters, senior vice president, human resources.
“One of our key responsibilities as a board is the implementation of a leadership transition plan to ensure the company’s continued success in the future,” said Agnew.
He added: “Given John’s depth of experience and proven track record of performance, we are confident that he is uniquely suited to take on the Chief Executive Officer role and lead Atlas into its next growth phase.”
“It has been a great privilege to lead the company through this period of tremendous growth, and strengthen our position as a leader in global aviation outsourcing,” said Flynn. “I am proud of our dedicated and experienced employees, and the business we have built as a team.
Dietrich has over 30 years of experience in the aviation and air cargo industries, including more than 20 with Atlas Air Worldwide. He has served in his current COO role since 2006, and is responsible for all aspects of the company’s global operations.
