#United States #Seattle #Alaska Airlines #McGee Air Services #Ben Reed

McGee Air Services Names Ben Reed as President

Seattle, WA – September 25, 2026 – In a significant leadership transition, McGee Air Services has named Ben Reed as its new president, effective October 1, 2026. This appointment formalizes Reed's interim leadership over the past six months and signals a strategic focus on operational excellence and safety within the airline subsidiary of Alaska Airlines.

Reed's association with Alaska Air Group spans an impressive 17 years, during which he has been a pivotal figure in various capacities, including safety compliance and operational management. His journey with McGee began at its inception in 2016, where he played an instrumental role as one of the founding leaders, helping to mold the company’s operational strategies and work culture from the ground up.

As the newly appointed president, Reed oversees a workforce of over 3,200 employees across six airports. His responsibilities encompass directing the company's overall strategy, enhancing growth prospects, and ensuring financial performance that aligns with organizational goals. Reed's vision is deeply rooted in fostering a corporate culture that values safety, service integrity, mutual respect, accountability, and pride among its workforce.

Before stepping into this presidential role, Reed has held several critical leadership roles within the Alaska Air Group. He has served as the managing director of safety and compliance on two occasions, from 2016 to 2017 and again from 2020 to 2025. Additionally, he directed operations at the Seattle station from 2017 to 2020 before briefly stepping back into this role prior to his interim presidency.

Jason Berry, COO of Alaska Airlines and chair of the McGee Board, lauded Reed’s appointment, citing his extensive operational expertise and solid relationships within the Alaska Air Group as key attributes that make him a perfect fit for leading McGee in its next chapter. Berry underscored, “McGee plays a crucial role in how we deliver on our Alaska Accelerate initiative, ensuring safety and reliability for our guests and employees every day.”

Reed's track record at Alaska Airlines includes various management positions such as internal audit manager and director of aviation security and regulatory compliance. His breadth of experience will undoubtedly serve McGee well as it expands its ground services and integrates broader operational strategies to support Alaska Airlines throughout its network.

Additionally, McGee Air Services stands to benefit from Reed's clear commitment to its people, enhancing workforce morale and engagement levels which are vital as the company navigates through an increasingly competitive airline market.

In sum, Ben Reed's ascendency to president is welcomed not just as a continuity of leadership but as a transformative opportunity for McGee to consolidate its position in the airline services sector, ensuring that it remains at the forefront of safety, operational excellence, and employee satisfaction.

As McGee continues to grow and evolve, Reed’s leadership is set to guide the organization in providing superior ground services, which are integral to Alaska Airlines' overarching mission to deliver remarkable care to its passengers across more than 140 destinations worldwide.

For more information, visit Alaska Air Group.