Ben Minicucci
Born (1966-04-27) April 27, 1966 (age 57)
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
EducationBachelor of Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada
Master of Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada
Occupation(s)President and Chief Executive Officer of Alaska Air Group
PredecessorBrad Tilden (2012–2021)
Board member ofAirlines for America, Washington Roundtable, University of Washington Foster School of Business

Benito Minicucci (born April 27, 1966) is an American business executive. He is the president and chief executive officer of Alaska Air Group, the parent company of Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air.

Early life and education

Minicucci was born in Montreal, Quebec. His parents were from Casacalenda campobasso and immigrated to Montreal from Italy in the 1950s. Minicucci received his bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering from the Royal Military College of Canada. In 2012, he completed the advanced management program at Harvard Business School.[1]

Career

Following graduation from college, Minicucci served 14 years in the Canadian Armed Forces. After, he joined Air Canada where he worked in a variety of roles in technical operations and later as vice president of heavy maintenance.[2]

Minicucci joined Alaska Airlines in 2004, where he first worked as staff vice president of maintenance. He went on to hold roles as executive vice president of Alaska’s operations in Seattle and chief operating officer.[3] In 2016, he became president of Alaska Airlines where he led the company’s expansion into California and was CEO of Virgin America during Alaska’s acquisition of the airline.[4][5] AFAR magazine named Minicucci one of their Global Visionaries in 2019.[6]

On March 31, 2021, Minicucci was elected president and chief executive officer of Alaska Air Group, succeeding Brad Tilden.[7][8]

Civic engagement

Minicucci is on board of directors for Airlines for America, UNCF Seattle, World Trade Center Seattle, Challenge Seattle, Washington Roundtable, and the University of Washington Foster School of Business Center for Leadership and Strategic Thinking Advisory Board.[8]

Personal life

Minicucci became a U.S. citizen in 2012.[citation needed] He also has a brother Pasquale, (Pat) who had a very successful career in the banking sector in Toronto He lives in Issaquah, Washington.[9]

References

  1. ^ McIntosh, Andrew (July 27, 2020). "Alaska Airlines President Ben Minicucci navigates unprecedented turbulence". Puget Sound Business Journal. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  2. ^ Aratani, Lori (June 30, 2021). "Future of Flight with Alaska Air Group CEO Ben Minicucci and Neste US President Jeremy Baines". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  3. ^ McIntosh, Andrew (October 14, 2016). "Alaska's $11 billion puzzle: How Seattle's hometown airline plans to piece together two very different companies". Puget Sound Business Journal. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  4. ^ Knigge, Halley (December 14, 2016). "Different works: uniting two airlines to create one great flight experience". Alaska Airlines (Press release). Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  5. ^ Gates, Dominic (November 9, 2020). "Alaska Airlines CEO Brad Tilden will step down; company names his successor". The Seattle Times. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  6. ^ Button, Sara (October 2, 2019). "AFAR Travel Vanguard 2019". AFAR. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  7. ^ "Alaska Airlines CEO to retire in March, replaced by insider". AP News. November 9, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Executive leadership". Alaska Airlines. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  9. ^ Flowers, Jennifer (June 25, 2021). "What Alaska Airlines' Ben Minicucci wants to do this summer". The Seattle Times (sponsored content). Retrieved August 26, 2023.
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