AirTran Holdings, Inc. announces new CFO and Board member

AirTran Holdings, Inc., the parent company of AirTran Airways, Inc., announced today that Geoffrey T. Crowley has been elected to the company’s Board of Directors. His term commences immediately. Additionally, its Board of Directors has appointed Arne G.

AirTran Holdings, Inc., the parent company of AirTran Airways, Inc., announced today that Geoffrey T. Crowley has been elected to the company’s Board of Directors. His term commences immediately. Additionally, its Board of Directors has appointed Arne G. Haak, current vice president of finance and treasurer, to the position of senior vice president of finance, treasurer and chief financial officer.

“Geoff’s extensive background in the aviation industry will serve our Board and shareholders well as we address the challenges of the current high fuel costs environment,” said Bob Fornaro, chairman, president and CEO for AirTran Airways. “We welcome him to AirTran and have confidence that he will be an asset in helping us uphold our commitment to provide outstanding service and shareholder value.”

Crowley is president of Northshore Leasing of Appleton, Wisc., and was a founder of Air Wisconsin Airlines Corporation (AWAC). Prior to his current position, Crowley served as chairman, president and CEO of AWAC, leading the company during its growth from 12 aircraft and revenues of $100 million to more than 80 aircraft and over $700 million in revenue at its peak. In addition, Crowley served as vice president of marketing alliances at Northwest Airlines.

Crowley was appointed by President Clinton and confirmed by the Senate to serve on the FAA’s first Management Advisory Council. He was also appointed by the Governor of Wisconsin to serve on a committee to examine the state’s transportation infrastructure.

In his new role as CFO, Arne Haak will also continue to oversee financial planning and analysis, treasury, purchasing, and investor relations. Prior to his career at AirTran Airways, Haak worked for US Airways. Since joining AirTran Airways in 1999, he has worked in a variety of roles from financial planning and analysis to investor relations. He became vice president of finance and treasurer in January 2006.

Haak is a member of the Association for Financial Professionals (AFP), and he has earned the designation of Certified Treasury Professional and AFP Honors in 2007. Haak is a resident of Winter Springs, Fla., where he lives with his wife, Denise, and three children. Haak is fluent in both English and Swedish.

“Arne possesses an impressive knowledge of the airline business as well as finance, and has made significant contributions over the last nine years which have aided in the success of AirTran Airways,” said Fornaro. “Arne brings a thorough understanding of our business and has a proven set of leadership skills which is critical in this time of record high fuel costs.”

Haak commented, “I am honored to lead a strong team of financial and accounting professionals at AirTran Airways. The airline has established a solid competitive position based on low costs, high quality, and the youngest all-Boeing fleet in the United States. I look forward to both the challenges and the opportunities that will arise from the impact of record high fuel on our industry.”

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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