On Feb. 13, Mesa Air Group, Inc. announced several promotions and appointments of senior staff.

Mike Ferverda has been appointed Chief Operating Officer of Mesa's new joint venture with Shenzhen Airlines in China. In this new role, Mike will head up Mesa's team to establish a new domestic regional airline in the People's Republic of China. Mike joined Mesa Air Group in 1990 as a line pilot and has served the Company in various management capacities, most recently as President of Freedom Airlines and Senior Vice President West Coast Operations. Prior to joining Mesa, Mike was a pilot with Eastern Airlines as well as having served as an Aviator in the United States Navy. Mr. Ferverda is a graduate of Indiana University.

Tom Bacon joins Mesa as Vice President Planning with responsibility for Financial Planning and Analysis, as well as for Planning, Scheduling and Marketing. Tom joins the management team from Bombardier Flexjet where he was Vice President Marketing. Prior to that he served for twenty three years at American Airlines in various roles including Vice President Marketing and Planning for American Eagle. Tom received his BA in Economics from Oberlin College and an MBA from the Harvard Business School.

Jorn Bates has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer, Freedom Airlines with particular focus on Mesa's operations as a Delta Connection partner. Jorn joined Mesa in January 2007 as Vice President East Coast Operations following 15 years service at Delta Air Lines in a variety of management roles including General Manager of Operations and Performance for Delta Connection. Jorn served with the United States Marine Corps, received his Bachelors Degree in Professional Aeronautics from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and an MBA from Shorter College.

Gary Appling has been promoted to Vice President Technical Services and Purchasing. Since joining Mesa in July 2006, Gary has been Mesa's Director of Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Services. He began his airline career on the ramp as a baggage handler for Delta and was a USAF reserve jet engine technician before joining Continental Airlines as an engine mechanic and later in various MRO management roles.

Jeff Bethune has been promoted to Vice President Financial Planning and Analysis with responsibility for overseeing operating and capital expenditure plans. Jeff joined Mesa in 2003 as a senior analyst in the Planning Division and was promoted to Director of Corporate Development in 2005. From 1997 to 2003 he held various divisional finance positions at America West Airlines, including the areas of Information Technology, Maintenance and Technical Services, and Sales and Marketing. Jeff obtained his Bachelor of Science from the University of Connecticut.

Adam Wilensky has been promoted to Director of Planning. Adam joined Mesa in 2002 from United Airlines where he worked in the Network Planning Department and prior to that he for Mesaba Airlines in Financial Planning and Analysis. Adam replaces Mickey Bowman who is returning back East for personal reasons after serving the Company since 1999 and will be working part-time for the Company going forward. Adam received his Bachelors Degree in Aviation Business Administration from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas.

"I am delighted to announce these promotions and appointments to the management team. I know each of these individuals will add great value to our organization in their new roles," said Mesa Chairman and CEO, Jonathan Ornstein. "Mike Ferverda's appointment as Chief Operating Officer of our new joint venture in China underscores the significance of our commitment to the success of this exciting new regional airline. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mickey Bowman who I worked with on a daily basis and look forward to continue working with him in his new role." Ornstein added.