Bill Ayer, chairman and CEO of Alaska Air Group, will retire on May 15 at the company's annual shareholders meeting.
Alaska Airlines President Brad Tilden will succeed Ayer as CEO of the air group and the company’s two airlines, Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air. He also will retain his current title.
Tilden, 51, has been with Alaska Air Group since 1991. He was promoted to CFO in 2000, executive vice president of planning and finance in 2007 and president of Alaska Airlines in 2008.
Ayer, 57, has spent three decades at Alaska Air Group, including 10 years as CEO.