PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mesa Airlines, Inc. announced today that Michael Ferverda, currently Senior Vice President – Aircraft Programs will become Senior Vice President – Regulatory Compliance. Most recently, Ferverda spearheaded Mesa’s successful Embraer 175 induction program and managed the planning and certification responsibilities involved in Mesa’s addition of the E175s to its Operating Certificate. Mesa began operating the aircraft in the United Express system in June 2014, and will have a total of 30 E175s in operation for United by the end of 2015.
Ferverda joined Mesa Airlines in 1990 as a First Officer in the Beechcraft 1300 and has served the Company in various capacities, including Captain, Flight instructor/Check Airman, Assistant Chief Pilot, FAA Designated Examiner, Director of Operations, Division Vice President and Senior Vice President of the Company’s China Joint Venture. With more than 46 years of professional experience in the aviation industry, Mike is a highly regarded aviator and a key member of senior management. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University and began his career as a Naval Aviator.
“The introduction of the E175 was our most important accomplishment of 2014. With his strong background of leadership and extensive industry experience, Mike is the ideal choice to oversee Mesa’s regulatory compliance and important safety programs,” said Jonathan Ornstein, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mesa Air Group, Inc.
In addition, the Company has selected John Selvaggio, Vice President – Planning and Operations Performance, to assume responsibility for the continued placement of the Embraer 175 into its United Express operation. Selvaggio holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Fordham University in New York, where he joined American Airlines upon graduation. Prior to joining Mesa in March 2014, Selvaggio held various officer-level positions at Delta, American and US Airways, including President and CEO positions at Delta’s subsidiaries Song and Comair, American’s subsidiary Wings West, US Airways Express and Midway Airlines.
“John’s addition to the Mesa leadership team has helped us immensely in executing on our growth plans. Thus far this year, we have added 10 CRJ-900s under the American Eagle/US Airways Express banner and the first 8 of 30 Embraer 175s for United Express," said Ornstein. "The successful induction of the E175s remains critically important to our partnership with United and our future growth opportunities."
Selvaggio will be assisted by Captain John Gardner, Mesa’s Assistant Chief Pilot based in Houston, Texas. Gardner, a 13-year Mesa veteran and member of Mesa’s Initial E175 Cadre, will continue in his role of providing technical assistance for the movement of the Embraer 175s and managing the related pilot workforce. He has served in a variety of leadership roles in Mesa’s Flight Operations division.
“Capitalizing on the exceptional qualifications of these three individuals, along with our superior operating performance and low costs, positions Mesa for additional growth as the industry transitions to larger regional aircraft,” added Ornstein.
About Mesa Airlines
A multiple recipient of Air Transport World’s Regional Airline of the Year Award and ranked No. 1 Regional Airline three consecutive years by the DOT Air Travel Consumer Report, Phoenix-based Mesa Airlines operates as US Airways Express and American Eagle from Charlotte (soon Dallas) and Phoenix and as United Express from Washington Dulles and Houston. Founded on a mesa in New Mexico in 1982 by Larry and Janie Risley, Mesa currently operates 85 aircraft with more than 400 daily system departures to 92 cities, 37 states, the District of Columbia, Canada and Mexico. The company has approximately 2,200 employees throughout the U.S.
