Capt. Jose Palacios Elected Chairman Of The Virgin America Master Executive Council (MEC)

The temporary representatives of the Virgin America pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), today elected officers to lead their pilot group into the future as they build a new union structure and begin work on their first collective bargaining agreement.

Capt. Jose Palacios was elected chairman of the Virgin America Master Executive Council (MEC). A San Francisco-based Airbus 319/320 captain, Palacios has been with Virgin America since 2008. Prior to Virgin America, Capt. Palacios spent more than seven years flying for Atlantic Southeast Airlines and in the corporate world flying the Falcon 900. He lives in Park City, Utah, with his wife.

“The overwhelming vote for ALPA is a clear indication that the Virgin America pilots want representation by a strong international union with world-class resources and decades of experience negotiating pilot labor contracts,” said Palacios. “We helped build a successful and profitable airline with our strong work ethic and dedication to the highest professional standards. And as partners in the success of this airline, we hope to work with company executives and other employees to continue the growth of Virgin America.”

The Virgin America local representatives also elected Capt. Keith Louis as MEC vice chairman. Louis has been a San Francisco-based pilot since joining Virgin America in 2008. Previously, Louis worked for American Eagle/Business Express Airlines for more than 10 years, where he was a check airman and volunteered on the ALPA Training Committee. He graduated from Daniel Webster College and lives in Portland, Ore., with his wife, son, and daughter.

Capt. Joe Youngerman was elected MEC secretary-treasurer. Youngerman began working at Virgin America in early 2009, flying the Airbus 319/320 from the San Francisco crew base. Prior to joining Virgin, he spent 13 years flying for Midwest Airlines after seven years at CCAir. Youngerman attended Embry-Riddle University and lives in Henderson, Nev.

The officers’ terms began immediately.

FMI: www.alpa.org