The pilot leadership at Mesa Air Group, represented by ALPA, has elected new officers. Now serving on the Master Executive Council (MEC) are Captain Angelo Matziaris as the chairman, First Officer Marcin Kolodziejczyk as the vice chairman, and Captain Derek Latimer re-elected as the secretary-treasurer. The new officers’ terms began in March 2010 and will end in March 2012.

“To protect, defend, and enhance the lives of our pilots—that’s why we’re here,” said Capt. Matziaris of his recent election to MEC chairman. “We are committed to working collaboratively with management to meet the needs of our pilots, as well as those of the company, in order to reestablish Mesa Air Group as a viable airline. This is no time for games, and we will not tolerate ineptitude.”

Captain Angelo Matziaris, MEC Chairman, is a 12-year veteran at MAG, Captain Matziaris is based at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and flies the CRJ. He has more than 20 years of union experience, and has served in various leadership capacities on the pilots’ governing body and for its committees. Most recently, Captain Matziaris served as the chairman of the pilots’ Negotiating Committee.

First Officer Marcin Kolodziejczyk, MEC Vice-Chairman, is based at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), First Officer Kolodziejczyk flies the CRJ and has been an active ALPA volunteer since joining MAG in July 2006. He also currently serves as the first officer representative for pilots based in Phoenix and Hawaii. Previously, First Officer Kolodziejczyk served as the MEC executive administrator.

Captain Derek Latimer, MEC Secretary-Treasurer, is an ERJ pilot, Captain Latimer joined MAG in December 2003 and is based at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG). This will be his second term as the MEC secretary-treasurer. He has also served as an elected representative and on the Pilot-to-Pilot Committee.

ALPA represents 53,000 pilots at 38 airlines in the U.S. and Canada, including the nearly 1,500 pilots—and 364 who are on furlough—at Mesa Air Group.

Mesa Air Group includes Mesa Airlines, Freedom Airlines, and go!, the company’s interisland carrier in Hawaii. Pilots fly as Delta Connection, United Express, US Airways Express, and go!.

FMI: www.MesaPilots.com