New VP Most Recently With UAL

The Air Transport Association of America (ATA) has named Jean Medina vice president, communications.

Medina, who has more than 20 years of experience in media relations, crisis management, and financial, customer and employee communications, joins ATA from United Airlines, where most recently she led external communications and helped guide communications surrounding the United-Continental Airlines merger. Medina has dealt regularly with issues that range from customer service to governmental regulation in the United States and around the world.

"We are pleased to have someone as skilled and knowledgeable about the airline industry as Jean to head our communications efforts," said ATA President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio, announcing the hire Wednesday. "As an industry so vital to the U.S. economy and global competitiveness, aviation needs to communicate more effectively than ever. Jean is exactly the right person to energize our outreach. I look forward to working with her as part of the ATA team."

"I have enjoyed my years at United, and this move gives me the perfect opportunity to build on that experience," Medina said. "The Air Transport Association is an important organization, and I look forward to representing the industry as a whole, and to working with the ATA team and our members to advocate for commercial aviation, which is so critical to connecting cities – both large and small – to the world."

At United, Medina served as the chief spokesperson during a $23 billion restructuring and prior to that, she worked in public relations for Tellabs and Ameritech.

Medina succeeds David A. Castelveter, who is leaving ATA after five years to pursue other interests.

FMI: www.airlines.org