Alaska Air Group Strengthens Leadership As Ben Reed Takes President Role At McGee Air Services

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Alaska Air Group has changed its leadership team, with McGee Air Services naming interim president Ben Reed as its permanent president on October 1. Reed has worked as an operations manager for Alaska Air Group for 18 years, and Alaska Air Group says he is committed to safety. As president of McGee Air Services, Reed will oversee 3,200 employees who work as ground services in six airports, and help develop strategies for the company.

In his role as President, Reed will lead more than 3,200 employees at McGee Air Services, a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines, overseeing ground service operations across six airports. He will be responsible for driving business strategy, supporting growth initiatives and managing financial performance while strengthening a workplace culture focused on safety, service excellence, integrity, accountability, mutual respect and employee pride.

Reed has been a key figure in McGee Air Services since its establishment in 2016, serving as one of the organisation’s founding leaders and helping build its operational framework and company culture from the beginning. During his 17-year career with Alaska Air Group, he has held several senior leadership positions within McGee, including two terms as Managing Director of Safety and Compliance from 2016 to 2017 and from 2020 to 2025.

He also previously served as Managing Director of Operations for McGee’s Seattle station, first from 2017 to 2020 and later from November 2025 until March 2026, when he was appointed Interim President. His experience across safety, compliance and station operations has played an important role in shaping McGee’s service delivery and operational standards.

Before joining McGee Air Services, Reed built his career at Alaska Airlines after becoming part of the company in 2009. He held several leadership positions, including Internal Audit Manager, Manager of Airports Quality Assurance, Director of Aviation Security and Regulatory Compliance, and Director of Station Operations Support.

With his extensive background in aviation operations, safety management and organisational leadership, Reed will continue guiding McGee Air Services as it expands its services while maintaining its focus on reliable ground operations and customer experience.

Jason Berry, Alaska Airlines Chief Operating Officer Chair of the McGee Board, “McGee is an important part of how we deliver on Alaska Accelerate safely, reliably and with care for our guests and employees every day. Ben brings deep operational experience, strong relationships across Alaska Air Group and a clear commitment to McGee’s people, making him the right leader for this next chapter.”