Industry & Services >> CEO Interviews >> August 2, 2004
PHILIP H. TRENARY is President and Chief Executive Officer of Pinnacle
Airlines Corp. Mr. Trenary was appointed to this position on April 1,
1997, the same date that Northwest Airlines acquired the carrier, then
called Express Airlines I, from private ownership. Prior to that time,
he was President and CEO of Lone Star Airlines, a position he held for
14 years. At the time of its acquisition, Express Airlines had fallen
below the service standards expected by Northwest and its customers. In
conjunction with his management team, Mr. Trenary developed a set of
guiding principles for the company and began using this philosophy and
objectives as a catalyst for change. Within two years the airline was
recognized as the most reliable operator of Saab 340 equipment in the
world and began setting standards as the most on-time airlines in the
United States regardless of size. Soon thereafter, Pinnacle was awarded
a contract to fly 49 regional jets for Northwest. Since that time, Mr.
Trenary has directed the development of Pinnacle Airlines into one of
the nation's premier carriers. Pinnacle has expanded to more than 600
daily flights into the United States and Canada, having expanded
Available Seat Miles by roughly 60% each year since 2000. In recognition
of these accomplishments, the Regional Airline Association chose Mr.
Trenary as Regional Airline Executive of the Year in 2000. The FAA
presented the airline with its most prestigious award, the Diamond
Certificate of Excellence in 1999, 2000 and 2001. In 2002, Pinnacle was
named Regional Airline of the Year by Professional Pilot magazine. Most
recently, Airline Business presented him with the 2004 Regional Airline
Leadership award. In addition to his duties at Pinnacle, Mr. Trenary is
the current Chairman of the Regional Airline Association; Chairman of
the Memphis Convention and Visitor's Bureau, past Chair of the
prestigious Memphis Music Commission and holds Board responsibilities at
the Memphis Regional Chamber. He is also active in the Oklahoma State
Alumni Board. Profile
and a picture of the things you're doing at the present time.
Mr. Trenary: Pinnacle Airlines is a regional airline
