Bill Ayer: podcast appearances and interviews

William S. Ayer, born in 1955 in Seattle, Washington, is an American former airline executive with a background as a pilot and business leader. He served as chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Alaska Airlines and its parent company, Alaska Air Group. Ayer holds a bachelor's degree in economics and biology from Stanford University and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Washington. He also possesses commercial and flight instructor pilot certificates with instrument and multi-engine ratings. Before his tenure at Alaska Airlines, Ayer founded and served as president of Air Olympia, a commuter airline operating in Washington state, and worked as a regional manager for Piper Aircraft Co. He began his career at Alaska in 1995 as vice president of marketing and planning, eventually becoming chief executive officer in 2002 and chairman in 2003. Prior to joining Alaska Airlines, he spent 13 years at Horizon Air as senior vice president of operations. Ayer has been involved in various community and educational initiatives, serving on the University of Washington Board of Regents and the University of Washington Business School Advisory Board, among other positions. He is also a director of Puget Energy, the Museum of Flight, and Angel Flight America. An active pilot, Ayer participates in community service by flying Angel Flight America patients to medical appointments. In 2012, he announced his departure as CEO of Alaska Airlines, stepping down in May of that year. Currently, he serves as a pilot and CFO for Alaska Airlines and holds the position of chairman of the AOPA Foundation.