SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 25, 2001--Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK) today appointed Mark R. Hamilton to its board of directors.

Hamilton, president of the University of Alaska, has served as the university's chief executive officer since 1998.

That same year Hamilton retired as a U.S. Army Major General following 31 years of active military duty, primarily in the fields of teaching, management and administration. During his last military assignment, he served as the commanding general responsible for the Army's annual nationwide recruitment of 120,000 volunteers at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

"We are honored to have someone join our board with the depth of Mark's executive and administrative experience in both academia and the military," said John F. Kelly, chairman and chief executive officer of Alaska Air Group. "His professional background, along with his extensive knowledge and understanding of the state of Alaska and its people, will be tremendous assets to us."

Under Hamilton's leadership, the university's enrollment has increased for the first time in several years. In addition, he has instituted an innovative scholarship program that has received national attention and has been successful in persuading the state's brightest students to remain in Alaska for their college education.

Formerly Chief of Staff of the Alaskan Command at Elmendorf Air Force Base, and Commander of Division Artillery at Fort Richardson, both near Anchorage, Hamilton is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He holds a master's degree from Florida State University and is a graduate of both the Armed Forces Staff College and the U.S. Army War College. He is a recipient of the Army's highest peacetime award, the Distinguished Service Medal.

Alaska Air Group is the parent company of Seattle-based Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air Industries.

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