KEVIN DURANT HELPS COUNCIL WELCOME ALASKA AIRLINES CEO BRAD TILDEN TO BAY AREA
It was a star power celebration Thursday as the Bay Area Council joined with member company Alaska Airlines to co-host a reception for Alaska Airlines CEO Brad Tilden and his executive team to highlight the airline’s almost 40 years in the Bay Area. Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant also joined the festivities, sending ecstatic guests into selfie clamoring mode with the newly minted NBA Finals MVP. In a gorgeous setting atop of the Commonwealth Club’s rooftop deck at their newly built headquarters, more than 200 VIPs were treated to a lively and fun fireside chat with Tilden, Council CEO Jim Wunderman and Alaska Airlines President and COO Ben Minicucci. Tilden talked about the importance of community investment and growing a diverse workforce, and he highlighted the more than $1 million Alaska Airlines Group has contributed to almost 70 community organizations across the region in the past year.
Tilden has served as Chairman and CEO since 2012 and is a 25-year veteran of Alaska Air Group, the parent company of Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air and Virgin America. The combined airlines have over 20,000 employees, 285 aircraft and fly to more than 115 destinations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Costa Rica. Under the leadership of Tilden and his team, Alaska Airlines is now the fifth largest airline in the U.S.
Durant wasn’t the only local sports celebrity in attendance donning a championship ring. San Francisco Giants CEO and Council Executive Committee member Larry Baer dropped by and brought his team’s three World Series Championship trophies.
