The Alaska Airlines board of directors has selected Constance von Muehlen to be senior vice president of maintenance and engineering.
Beginning Jan. 21, von Muehlen will lead Alaska’s maintenance and engineering employees, and all safety, compliance and operational performance of the airline’s mainline Boeing and Airbus fleet. Most recently, von Muehlen led Horizon Air’s operational performance strategy as the airline’s chief operating officer, where she oversaw the customer service, inflight, pilot, maintenance and system operations control teams. Prior to Horizon, von Muehlen was Alaska’s managing director of airframe, engine and component maintenance.
“Constance is a strong leader who brings nearly 30 years of industry experience with her to our maintenance and engineering division, along with extensive knowledge of both the Airbus and Boeing fleets,” said Ben Minicucci, Alaska’s president and chief operating officer. “Her focus on safety, operational excellence and our people places Constance in a strong position to lead the division.”
Before joining Alaska, von Muehlen spent 20 years in aviation maintenance leadership roles at Pratt and Whitney and Air Canada. She received her initial leadership training as a captain in the U.S. Army serving tours of duty as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot in Germany, Iraq, Turkey and South Korea. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins University and a certificate in Executive Leadership Training from the Darden School at the University of Virginia. She recently completed an executive MBA at the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington.