Santa Monica, California (PRWEB) February 20, 2013 – Angel Flight West (AFW), one of the largest public benefit flying organizations in the United States, announces it has elected five new directors to its board. “Each one brings expertise and experience to help Angel Flight West continue to grow and arrange more free air transportation for those who would not be able to reach needed care,” said Laura Long, Chairman.
Joseph Sprague, Vice President of Marketing at Alaska Airlines, joins colleague Bill Ayer, Chairman of Alaska Air Group and volunteer AFW Command Pilot. Mr. Ayer is currently a director of the Foundation board after previously serving six years on the Angel Flight West board. Together they continue the 10-year partnership between Alaska Airlines and AFW to provide commercial tickets primarily, but not exclusively, for Alaska residents to reach medical care and other services. Mr. Sprague began his aviation career as a flight instructor and commercial pilot after receiving a bachelor of science in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Mr. Sprague holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Washington.
Patricia McInturff has 30 years of experience in human services and public health policy and administration. Most recently, Ms. McInturff was Director of the City of Seattle’s Human Services Department after spending over two decades in local and national public health leadership positions. Ms. McInturff currently serves on the Washington State University College of Arts and Science Advisory Committee and has extensive experience as a board member and executive of several not-for-profit service organizations. She holds master’s in public administration from the University of Puget Sound.
Gene Pope retired as Vice President of Personalization, Search Experience and Browse for Amazon.com. Previously, he worked at Apple as manager of the Pink Group and System Software. He received a bachelor of science in electronics engineering from Colorado State University and is a volunteer AFW Command Pilot.
Tom Gallagher, former President and CEO of Caesars Entertainment and of the Merv Griffin Group, joins the Board from Las Vegas where he is a trustee of the UNLV Foundation and the DRI Foundation and chairs the board of the Black Mountain Institute. Mr. Gallagher, previously an Executive Vice President of Hilton Hotels Corp. and former partner of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, is a graduate of Harvard Law School.
Benjamin Marcus is co-founder and partner of JetAVIVA and Aerospace Capital. Mr. Marcus received his bachelor of science in aviation technology from Purdue University. He is type rated in numerous single-pilot jets and the Boeing 747. He took his first flying lesson at age 10 and has been a member of Angel Flight West for 17 years, beginning as an office volunteer while he was in middle school. Marcus is also a volunteer Command Pilot for Angel Flight West.
Departing directors are Stephen Bobko-Hillenaar, Retired Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley; Joseph Shelton, writer for numerous aviation publications; and Mark Wolper, President and Executive Producer of The Wolper Organization. “We are grateful for the long service to Angel Flight West by those whose terms have recently expired,” said Chairman Long, “and we look forward to their continued participation as Angel Flight West Command Pilots and supporters.”
Angel Flight West serves the thirteen western states, including Alaska and Hawaii, from its Santa Monica, Calif. headquarters. For over thirty years, AFW and its commercial airline partners have been providing non-emergency air transportation to access humanitarian services without cost to qualified passengers. Private pilots volunteer their time and donate all expenses to provide access to medical care, take children to special needs camps, and transport others to needed services that save and improve their lives. “Our missions enable them to receive vital treatment that might otherwise be inaccessible because of financial, medical, or geographic limitations,” said Executive Director Alan Dias.
For more information: http://www.angelflightwest.org
