Alaska Airlines CEO speaks to 300 at Bellingham Business Forum Thursday

William S. Ayer, chairman and chief executive officer of Alaska Airlines and the Alaska Air Group, was the keynote speaker at the ninth Annual Western Washington University Bellingham Business Forum on Thursday, March 18, at the Hotel Bellwether ballroom.

At Alaska Airlines, Ayer, 55, leads the nation’s ninth-largest airline, with more than 10,000 employees, 59 destinations served and more than 110 aircraft.

A 26-year veteran of the aviation industry, Ayer began his career with Alaska in 1995 as vice president of marketing and planning. Since then, he has held the posts of senior vice president of customer service, marketing and planning; president; and chief operating officer. In 2002, he became the company’s CEO, and in 2003, he was appointed chairman.

Bill Ayer, CEO of Alaska Airlines, middle, chats with Western Washington University President Bruce Shepard, right, and John Rindlaub, head of the Pacific Northwest Division of Wells Fargo Western Commercial Banking, at the ninth annual Bellingham Busines

Attendees of the Bellingham Business Forum, held March 18 at the Hotel Bellwether in Bellingham, socialize during the annual event, which is organized by the Western Washington University Foundation. Photo by Laurie Rossman | WWU

Dennis Madsen, a member of the Western Washington University Board of Trustees, talks with fellow Trustee Peggy Zoro at the ninth annual Bellingham Business Forum March 18 at the Hotel Bellwether in Bellingham. Photo by Laurie Rossman | WWU

Bill Ayer, CEO of Alaska Airlines, answers audience questions after his speech at the ninth annual Bellingham Business Forum March 18. The event is put on by the Western Washington University Foundation. Photo by Laurie Rossman | WWU