The industry saw a little shuffling in its executive suites last week with new CEOs at Lynx, Compass and Comair.

Compass Prez to Comair
Compass President John Bendoraitis was tapped to succeed John Selvaggio as president of Comair, a wholly owned Delta Connection. Selvaggio returns to retirement from which he was plucked a year ago to foster the airline while Delta changed its Delta Connection strategy away from 50-seat regional jets in favor of the larger jets now flown at Comair. Bendoraitis is succeeded by Northwest's Tim Cambell, who, since 2007 served as vice president regional airline operations.
A 25-year industry veteran, Bendoraitis most recently served as president of Compass Airlines, a Northwest Airlink partner. Prior to leading Compass, he served as vice president of Base Maintenance for Northwest where he oversaw the carrier’s airframe, engine and component maintenance. Bendoraitis began his career as a maintenance technician and technical instructor at Northwest in 1984.

“John is a strong, veteran leader with experience at both Northwest and Compass, giving him a unique perspective on both mainline and regional carriers,” said Don Bornhorst, senior vice president of Delta Connection. “He has demonstrated his willingness to roll up his sleeves and immerse himself in the challenges facing everyone in the aviation industry. We are fortunate to have someone with his skills to lead Comair.”
Bendoraitis joins Comair as the airline’s performance has excelled, especially in on-time flights and flight completion. The company has also maintained its focus on costs and has achieved $30 million in savings during 2008.
“I am looking forward to working with the Comair team to build upon the carrier’s experience and strengths,” Bendoraitis said. “We will also strive as a team to make Comair competitive in a challenging industry.”
Comair employs 5,800 and operates 511 daily flights to 77 destinations in the U.S. and overseas.

Kenyon Succeeds Nunn at Lynx
Cameron Kenyon, who is currently vice president of flight operations, was named interim president of Denver-based regional airline Lynx Aviation, effective Nov. 21, succeeding Tom Nunn, who resigned the post inearly November. Lynx is a subsidiary of Frontier Airlines Holdings, providing feeder service at Denver.
Kenyon joined Frontier in 2000 as a pilot. He served as director of flight and training standards prior to being named chief pilot. He was promoted to vice president of flight operations in 2007. Kenyon holds a JD degree from the University of Colorado School of Law and practiced law in Colorado for several years. Prior to receiving his JD, he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served in the U.S. Navy as an instructor pilot.
"Cam has had a tremendous career with Frontier," said Sean Menke, president and CEO, "so moving him to the top leadership post at Lynx was a natural for me. His background as a pilot and chief pilot and then as vice president of flight operations at Frontier gives Cam an ideal perspective on running our regional operation."

New Director Mx at Air Whisky
Kevin Gordon was named Air Wisconsin Airlines Corporation director of maintenance, a promotion.. In his new position, he reports directly to Managing Director of Maintenance Ed Baranowski, and be responsible for maintenance control, planning; heavy maintenance; technical stores; powerplant operations, and production control at Philadelphia, Norfolk and Milwaukee maintenance facilities. Gordon has extensive experience in maintenance operations as well as excellent program management, continuous improvement, and implementation skills.
"Air Wisconsin's engine reliability statistics rank among the best in the industry due in large part to Kevin's exceptional competence and leadership skills," noted Baranowski. "I look forward to the leadership and innovative business and process development skills Kevin will bring to this position."
After joining Air Wisconsin in 1983 as an airframe and power plant mechanic, Gordon was promoted to a maintenance supervisor. Additionally, some of the positions Gordon has held while at Air Wisconsin include: member of the startup team creating maintenance control (1985); manager of power plant operations (1998) and director of power plant operations (2001 to present). Gordon received his Airframe and Power plant License from Colorado Aerotech in Broomfield, Colorado in 1981.