HONOLULU, November 9, 1999 - Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. (AMEX and PCX: HA) today announced that career airline executive Robert W. Zoller, Jr., will join the company as Executive Vice President - Operations and Services, a new position, on December 1, 1999. Zoller will leave a position at AirTran Airways to join Hawaiian.
Zoller will report directly to company President and Chief Executive Officer Paul J. Casey and succeeds Michael Schwab, who has served as interim head of operations since April. In his new position, Zoller will have overall management responsibility for the daily operation and administrative activities of the company's Flight Operations; Crew Scheduling; In-Flight, Catering and Product Development; Maintenance and Engineering; Airport Services and System Operations Control departments. Those departments had reported directly to Casey, but the company's expansion in 1999 prompted a search for additional senior management expertise.
"Bob Zoller happens to be the proverbial perfect fit for Hawaiian Airlines. In addition to being widely respected for his exceptional and diverse airline operations experience, organizational skills and financial acumen, Bob is perhaps the world's leading authority on commercial operation of the new Boeing 717. His leadership in integrating the B717 at AirTran, the aircraft's first commercial customer, assures Hawaiian the smoothest possible transition as we work toward replacing our own narrowbody fleet in 2001," Casey said.
Zoller's airline career spans 20 years. He joined AirTran in 1996 as its vice president for technical services and maintenance. As senior vice president of maintenance and engineering since 1998, Zoller has had responsibility for all maintenance operations, aircraft acquisition and fleet planning, including the company's integration of the new B717. Prior to AirTran, Zoller was with American Airlines from 1991 to 1996 and served as vice president of operations for AMR Eagle, Inc. and managing director of Eagle Aviation Services, Inc., where he directed the successful operational integration of numerous airlines, creating the largest regional carrier network in the world.
Prior to joining American Airlines, Zoller had responsibility as vice president of operations for American Eagle carrier, Wings West Airlines in San Luis Obispo, Ca. as well as several management positions of increasing responsibility at Pacific Southwest Airlines, including leadership positions in corporate and financial planning, operations planning and control, dining services and flight operations.
Zoller, a former U.S. Naval Officer and aviator, also served in financial analysis and planning management positions with General Dynamics and NCR prior to beginning his airline career. He holds a Masters of International Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science/Economics degree from the University of Maryland.
Founded in Honolulu 69 years ago, Hawaiian Airlines is Hawaii's longest-serving and largest airline, and the nation's 12th largest carrier. Hawaiian's fleet of 15 McDonnell Douglas DC-9 aircraft provides award-winning service on 140 jet flights daily among the islands of Hawaii. Hawaiian recently placed 13 orders and up to 7 options for B717 aircraft with aircraft manufacturer Boeing, Inc. Hawaiian also operates a fleet of 12 McDonnell Douglas widebody DC-10 aircraft on 14 flights a day between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland. Its DC-10 South Pacific service links Honolulu with American Samoa and Tahiti.