Jason Berry has been elected the new president of Horizon Air by the Horizon Air Board of Directors. With 28 years of experience in the industry, Berry will be responsible for leading the airline’s strategy, overseeing operations, and working closely with the airline’s approximately 3,500 employees. Horizon Air provides regional air service for Alaska Airlines.
Berry will be taking over from Joe Sprague, who is retiring as Horizon Air president after serving for four years. Sprague will be transitioning to a new role as a senior advisor at Alaska Airlines. Berry initially joined Horizon in early 2023 as the senior vice president of operations, where he successfully managed various aspects of the airline’s operations, including overseeing employees in its four largest workgroups.
“I’ve had the opportunity to get to know our Horizon team over the past nine months and our employees are truly remarkable,” Berry said. “Horizon is an incredibly well-run airline, and our people have a special dedication and heart. The opportunity to lead Horizon is an immense honor.”
Berry worked at Air Canada as vice president of cargo for two years before joining Horizon. Before that, he held leadership positions at Alaska Air Cargo and McGee Air Services.
“Jason is a fantastic leader with a tremendous amount of industry experience and a passion for Horizon and its people,” said Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci. “I look forward to his continuing contributions to Air Group’s success and am excited to welcome him to this leadership role.”
Jason Berry: A Strong Background in Aviation
Berry has a strong background in aviation, coming from a family that has been involved in the industry. He started his career while still in high school, gaining valuable experience working on the ramp. This experience has given him a wealth of knowledge that he now brings to his role as the president of Horizon.
Before taking on his current position, Berry served as the president of McGee Air Services, a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines. During his time there, he oversaw various aviation services, including ground handling, aircraft grooming, mobility services, check-in, and gate services.
Berry was in charge of Alaska Air Cargo from 2012 to June 2019. As the head of cargo operations and compliance, he played a key role in transitioning the aircraft fleet to more modern and efficient models.
His contributions to the aviation industry have not gone unnoticed. In 2022, Berry was named “Executive of the Year” by Air Cargo World magazine.
He graduated from Central Washington University and earned an Executive MBA from the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business. When he’s not working, Berry enjoys spending time with his wife and three daughters. They reside near Tacoma.