Alex de Gunten to step down as Executive Director of ALTA after 10 years

(Miami, June 26) – After 10 years as Executive Director of ALTA, the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association, Alex de Gunten will step down August of this year, Roberto Kriete, Chairman of ALTA, announced today.

“This was a very hard decision for me, as it has been an incredible experience” said Alex de Gunten “But after a decade of helping the airline industry of the region become much safer and efficient, the timing was right. ALTA will always be like a family to me, I had the privilege to work directly with not only some of the brightest and most successful CEOs and executives in the airline industry but with a staff that is second to none. Looking forward, I will start a new stage of my life, continuing to focus on assisting the industry improve and open new opportunities”

“ALTA has become the leading industry organization in the region thanks to Alex and his team” said Roberto Kriete, ALTA´s President and Chairman of Avianca. “Some of Alex´s many contributions during his tenure as Executive Director include a membership expansion of over 400%, his active support in the improvement of safety performance of the region as ALTA members adopted the IOSA standards and his involvement in the formation of the Regional Aviation Safety Group -Pan American, which he co-chaired. Alex and the ALTA team were recognized in 2012 with the Flight Safety Foundation – Boeing Life Time Safety Achievement and the Greater Miami Aviation Association (GMAA) Juan Trippe Awards. Under Alex’s watch ALTA launched its signature events in the region that today gather the most important players in the industry as well as the Helping Hands program that has raised over US$300,000 for underprivileged children in the region. We will miss him and wish him all the best”

The search for a new Executive Director has already started with the support of executive search firm Spencer Stuart with plans to have the incumbent in place by August 2013. De Gunten will continue to support ALTA during the transition and as an Advisor to the association´s Executive Committee.