Former Song Prez John Selvaggio New Comair CEO

Delta Air Lines announced this week Don Bornhorst has been named Senior Vice President -- Delta Connection, effective October 15. Bornhorst, a 16-year industry veteran, most recently served as president of Delta subsidiary Comair.

"One of Delta's top priorities is improving the Delta Connection experience for our customers from onboard products and services to operational performance. Don is a proven leader with the background, focus and determination needed to unify the Delta Connection brand and improve service to a level that meets or exceeds our customers' expectations," said Joe Kolshak, Delta's executive vice president of operations.

Bornhorst, 42, was named Comair's president in May 2006... and soon had to handle two tumultuous situations: fallout from Comair's earlier descent into Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and resulting labor tensions; and the August 2006 takeoff crash of Comair 5191 in Lexington, KY.

Before becoming president, Bornhorst served as Comair's chief financial officer, vice president of Information Systems and senior vice president of Customers with oversight of Customer Services and In-flight.

As senior vice president of Delta Connection, Bornhorst will oversee the day-to-day operations of nine partner airlines and lead efforts to ensure Delta Connection service is seamless with mainline operations. Bornhorst replaces Wayne Aaron, who returns to his role as vice president - Strategic Planning and Business Development.

With Bornhorst's move to Delta, Comair has tapped industry veteran and former Delta executive John Selvaggio to lead Comair. Selvaggio most recently served as the head of Delta's now-defunct low-cost unit, Song, and prior to that he served as senior vice president for Delta's Airport Customer Service division.

"John has a wealth of experience in airline operations and his proven leadership will ensure that Comair stays focused on its primary mission of delivering excellence to Delta customers," said Kolshak.

Delta says Selvaggio, 60, brings extensive regional airline expertise to Comair, including previous service as the head of US. Airways' Express Division and president of Wings West Airlines, a predecessor to American Eagle.

In 1998, Selvaggio joined Delta and coordinated the company's efforts in the acquisition of Atlantic Southeast Airlines in 1999, followed by Comair a year later.

FMI: www.delta.com, www.comair.com