SkyWest Airlines Appoints Leaders to Director Positions

ST. GEORGE, Utah, March 4 /PRNewswire/ -- SkyWest Airlines, a subsidiary of SkyWest, Inc. NASDAQ: SKYW, is pleased to announce three of its leaders as new directors: Casey Madsen as director - employee relations in the people department; Christopher C. Brown as director - flight operations; and Robin L. Wall as director - training. Madsen will report to Lori Hunt, vice president - people; Brown and Wall will report to Klen Brooks, vice president - flight operations. Brown and Wall will assume their positions March 10; Madsen will assume his new role April 16.

"We're pleased to fill these leadership positions with dedicated individuals who are committed to SkyWest's people and a quality operation," said Russell "Chip" Childs, SkyWest Airlines president and chief operating officer.

Brown will oversee flight operations policies and procedures, including manual revisions, record-keeping, compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations and Standard Operating Procedures and will work with pilots in establishing personnel rules, policies and ground and flight standards and procedures. Brown will also coordinate the department's emergency response program in conjunction with the company's overall plan.

A decorated 20-year US Air Force veteran, Brown served in the 474th Tactical Fighter Wing, the "Thunderbirds" Aerial Demonstration Squadron, and has led numerous squadrons. His military honors consist of the four Meritorious Service Medals, two Air Force Commendation Medals, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Brown began his SkyWest pilot career in 2004, has served as Denver chief pilot and, most recently, manager - operations.

"These two leaders' expertise and experience offer much to the flight operations department and the company," said Brooks. "They bring to their new roles vast experience, talent and most importantly, a commitment to operational excellence."

As director - training, Wall will be responsible for all phases of ground and flight training, including the production of training manuals and publications, working closely with the director - operations to implement standard operating procedures, and will work with FAA principal operations inspector, and the auditing of all SkyWest pilot training programs.

A 26-year SkyWest employee, Wall has held various roles within the flight operations department, including instructor, check airman, chief pilot, manager - training and most recently, manager - CRJ flight standards. He has been instrumental in managing SkyWest's growing operation, and has flown every aircraft type SkyWest has operated. A US Navy veteran, he's also served on the Regional Airline Association's Flight Technology Committee and Bombardier's flight operations steering committee.

Madsen will be responsible for employee relations, employment administration and workers' compensation, as well as oversight of federal and state labor law compliance, development and implementation of corporate policies and standards. Additionally, he will oversee all company hiring and recruitment processes.

"Casey has displayed tremendous leadership in his time at SkyWest," said Hunt. "His industry experience and collaborative approach are evident in everything he does, and I'm confident these traits will be invaluable to the people department."

With a bachelor's degree in political science from Weber State University, Madsen holds nearly a decade of aviation industry experience. Since joining the SkyWest team as supervisor in 2004, he has served in SkyWest leadership positions, including station manager, and most recently led the launch of SkyWest's newest Midwest Connect operation.

SkyWest Airlines is the world's largest independently-owned regional airline. SkyWest was awarded the FAA's AMT Gold Award for maintenance training in 2004 and 2005, and the AMT Diamond award in 2006. System-wide, SkyWest employs more than 11,000 aviation professionals and serves a total of 255 cities in 43 states, four Canadian provinces and Mexico with more than 1,700 daily departures.

This press release and more information on SkyWest Airlines can be found at http://www.skywest.com.