ATSG ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT OF AIRLINE SUBSIDIARY ABX AIR
John Starkovich

WILMINGTON, OH – December 22, 2016 – Air Transport Services Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATSG) today announced the retirement of John Starkovich, President of ABX Air, Inc., an airline subsidiary of ATSG, and the appointment of his replacement, David Soaper, effective February 1, 2017.

Starkovich joined ABX Air in 1998 as Senior Director of Labor Relations. He held a variety of roles in senior management, including Chief Labor Counsel, and Vice President of Human Resources and Corporate Services, before becoming President of the airline in March 2012. His 35-year career also included positions with Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC.

"John has brought immense value to this company through a diligent work ethic and prudent leadership style that set the standard among his peers," said Joe Hete, President and Chief Executive Officer of ATSG. "We're grateful for the role he played in ensuring the safe and reliable operation of the airline during his tenure here, and we wish him the very best in the future."

David Soaper
Soaper most recently held the position of President and Chief Operating Officer at Connecticut-based Southern Air, Inc. Prior to that he served as Senior Vice President of Aircraft Operations for regional airline Comair, Inc. during a 28-year career with that company. Soaper holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Wilmington College. He is an FAA-licensed Commercial Pilot with Instrument and Multi-Engine Ratings, and is a licensed Aircraft Dispatcher.
"I'm pleased to appoint Dave to lead ABX Air," Hete remarked. "I'm confident the airline will benefit from his substantial industry experience and steady guidance going forward."

About ABX Air, Inc.
ABX Air is an FAR Part 121 cargo airline headquartered in Wilmington, Ohio, that has flown express cargo routes for customers in the U.S. and around the world for more than three decades. ABX Air is a wholly owned subsidiary of Air Transport Services Group, Inc. For more information, visit ABX Air charter and full service provider.

About Air Transport Services Group, Inc. (ATSG)
ATSG is a leading provider of aircraft leasing and air cargo transportation and related services to domestic and foreign air carriers and other companies that outsource their air cargo lift requirements. ATSG, through its leasing and airline subsidiaries, is the world's largest owner and operator of converted Boeing 767 freighter aircraft. Through its principal subsidiaries, including two airlines with separate and distinct U.S. FAA Part 121 Air Carrier certificates, ATSG provides aircraft leasing, air cargo lift, aircraft maintenance services and airport ground services. ATSG's subsidiaries include ABX Air, Inc.; Airborne Global Solutions, Inc.; Air Transport International, Inc.; Cargo Aircraft Management, Inc.; and Airborne Maintenance and Engineering Services, Inc. For more information, please see Redirect.

ATSG : Air Transport Services Group, Inc.

 

There goes the neighborhood.

 

That was a short "retirement". He showed up a few months ago at his Southern office and was met by the Atlas executives. He was congratulated on his "retirement". Of course when he walked into the office he did not know he had just "retired". Lol

 

Wow, sorry to hear this. Soaper is a real piece of $hit.

 

Took a tidy share on the WALG bounty. Snagged a neat plus up for the ONE Southern/Atlas transition after McFly departed. ABX top dog. That licensed aircraft dispatcher certificate's been a real spinach maker.

 

See what a good strike can do for you. Maybe we can get rid of this guy also.

 

I've got a funny feeling this guy is going to be getting rid of a lot himself.

 

The same liar that promised comair pilots the world. Cut their pay by 50% then closed shop six months later. Let's burn the place down!

 

Of course, it's what he excels at. Making labor suffer, ruining people's lives. It gives him personal joy.

 

But he's a licensed Commercial Multi Engine Instrument Pilot! Surely he knows how to smooth relations with the pilot group with those credentials!