Alaska Airlines announces two new vice presidents in key workforce roles

Rhea-AI Summary

Alaska Airlines (NYSE:ALK) has appointed two new vice presidents to oversee critical employee groups amid the ongoing integration with Hawaiian Airlines. Joe Wonderly has been elected vice president of labor relations, while Allen Thieman will be promoted to vice president of inflight, both effective July 7.

Wonderly will lead labor strategy across all represented workgroups, which comprise 85% of Alaska's employees represented by five labor unions. He brings over a decade of labor and employment law experience, including four years at Alaska Airlines. Thieman will oversee a combined team of nearly 10,000 flight attendants from both Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines, succeeding Matt Prainito who is transitioning to support the integration efforts.

These appointments come at a crucial time as Alaska Airlines works to combine workforces with Hawaiian Airlines, particularly focusing on joint collective bargaining processes and maintaining service standards across the merged operations. The combined airline will serve more than 140 destinations throughout North America, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific.

Positive

• Strategic appointments to manage workforce integration with Hawaiian Airlines
• Experienced leadership: Wonderly brings over 10 years of labor law experience
• Thieman brings 20 years of airline experience and previous success in implementing collective bargaining agreements
• 85% unionized workforce indicates strong employee representation structure

Negative

• Complex integration process ahead with Hawaiian Airlines workforce
• Need to negotiate new shared contracts with multiple labor unions

News Market Reaction

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SEATTLE, June 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Alaska Airlines board of directors has placed two leaders in vice president roles to oversee critical employee groups. These appointments place trusted leaders at the helm during a dynamic time in the integration between the Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines workforces.

The leaders and their new roles, effective July 7, are:

• Joe Wonderly, who has been elected vice president of labor relations;
• Allen Thieman, who will be promoted to vice president of inflight.

Joe Wonderly – Vice President of Labor Relations

As Alaska Airlines' vice president of labor relations, Wonderly will lead the company's labor strategy and engagement across all represented workgroups. 85% of Alaska's employees are represented by five labor unions. 

As Alaska Airlines combines with Hawaiian Airlines, Wonderly will play a key role in ensuring that the company's approach to labor relations remains thoughtful, transparent, and grounded in shared values. Wonderly will help oversee the joint collective bargaining process as the unions for both airlines negotiate new, shared contracts. 

This appointment underscores Alaska's commitment to investing in people and partnerships as it grows into a global carrier. Alaska's labor relations team prioritizes conducting fair negotiations, timely implementation of collectively bargained agreements, and building trust through authentic communication and respectful collaboration. 

"Joe's thoughtful approach to labor relations aligns with Alaska's longstanding philosophy: that strong, respectful relationships with labor partners are essential to delivering a safe, caring, and reliable experience for both our people and our  guests," said Chief Operating Officer Constance von Muehlen.  

Wonderly brings more than a decade of experience in labor and employment law, including four years at Alaska Airlines. From 2019 to 2023, he served as Senior Corporate Counsel supporting both Alaska and Horizon Air on labor and employment matters. Most recently, he was a partner at Seyfarth Shaw in Seattle, where he advised clients on collective bargaining and labor strategy. Wonderly holds a J.D. from Boston University School of Law and a B.A. in History from Seattle University. 

Allen Thieman – Vice President of Inflight

As Alaska Airlines' vice president of inflight and once we reach a single operating certificate (SOC), Thieman will lead strategy and operations for our combined Inflight team and Flight Attendants for Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines. Thieman will oversee a team of nearly 10,000 flight attendants – the airline's largest workgroup – ensuring the safety, care and service guests have come to know from Alaska and Hawaiian remains industry-leading. Thieman will succeed Matt Prainito who is taking a leadership role supporting the integration of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.

With 20 years of airline experience, Thieman previously served as the Managing Director of Inflight Crew Scheduling and Operations in California and most recently has been leading the Hawaiian Airlines Crew Scheduling team in Honolulu. 

"Allen is a career long inflight professional and has been instrumental in our on-going integration with Hawaiian Airlines," said Chief Operating Officer Constance von Muehlen. "He consistently embodies the mindset of 'See it. Own it. Change it.' and is a trusted leader among his peers and the teams he supports. We're excited for Allen to continue his leadership as we transform into a global carrier." 

Thieman received a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Business Administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Master of Science in Management from the University of Central Florida. Prior to joining Alaska, Allen held leadership roles of increasing responsibility, including director of inflight services and director of inflight planning & administration – eventually becoming the vice president of flight crew planning and administration at another carrier. There he worked closely with the flight attendant union to successfully implement the airline's first collective bargaining agreement. Allen started his career as a gate agent and subsequently spent six years as a flight attendant prior to his time in leadership.

About Alaska Air Group

Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group, with McGee Air Services a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines. With hubs in Seattle, Honolulu, Portland, Anchorage, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco, we deliver remarkable care as we fly our guests to more than 140 destinations throughout North America, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific. Alaska is a member of the oneworld Alliance with Hawaiian scheduled to join in 2026. With oneworld and our additional global partners, guests can earn and redeem miles for travel to over 1,000 worldwide destinations. Guests can book travel at alaskaair.com and hawaiianairlines.com. Learn more about what's happening at Alaska and Hawaiian. Alaska Air Group is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as "ALK."

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SOURCE Alaska Airlines

FAQ

Who are the new vice presidents appointed at Alaska Airlines (ALK)?

Alaska Airlines has appointed Joe Wonderly as vice president of labor relations and Allen Thieman as vice president of inflight, effective July 7, 2025.

How many flight attendants will Allen Thieman oversee at Alaska Airlines?

As vice president of inflight, Thieman will oversee a combined team of nearly 10,000 flight attendants from both Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines.

What percentage of Alaska Airlines employees are represented by unions?

85% of Alaska Airlines employees are represented by five labor unions.

What is Joe Wonderly's background and experience?

Wonderly brings over a decade of experience in labor and employment law, including four years at Alaska Airlines as Senior Corporate Counsel, and was most recently a partner at Seyfarth Shaw in Seattle.

How many destinations will the combined Alaska-Hawaiian Airlines serve?

The combined airline will serve more than 140 destinations throughout North America, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific.