[img]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r0cbKQtr1KI/TdGLzJoFHPI/AAAAAAAACgY/n3_f7dvwagk/s800/logo.png\\\" border=\\\"0\\\" class=\\\"linked-image\\\" /]
[size=]
United Virtual Airlines Announces Jane Rachel Whittaker as New President[/size]
[size=]SAN FRANCISCO, August 20, 2012 - United Virtual Airlines (UVA) announced today that its Board of Directors has elected Jane Rachel Whittaker as its new President. She will succeed current President Ken St. John, who has held the position since May 2012 and stepped down last week due to pressing personal issues.
Prior to becoming President, St. John was the Senior Vice President, Human Resources and a member of the Board of Directors since September 2007. He joined UVA in 2004 as the Denver Domicile Manager (DENFO). In his role overseeing Human Resources, St. John worked with the other Board members to keep UVA policies and procedures aligned with real world operations to promote UVA as the model for a realistic virtual airline experience.
“I am pleased that the Board realized what an excellent choice Jane is,” St. John said last week. “She has been a mainstay of support and contribution since the early days. Not only does she bring a wealth of history regarding UVA but she is also deeply connected to several flight sim pipelines. Additionally her real-world heavy jet background will continue to support our credo regarding mirrors to that industry.”
Speaking about her predecessor, Whittaker said “I was saddened to hear that Ken St. John, due to urgent commitments, had to move to pastures new. I wish him well in his new ventures. He leaves the VA in a much better place, thanks to his leadership and commitment. I hope that he leaves with a sense of pride for the incredible leadership that he brought to United Virtual. The membership owe him a great debt of gratitude.”
Jane Rachel Whittaker has most recently served as Pilot Representative and a member of the Board of Directors. She brings a significant flight simulation background to her new role as President. She is currently Deputy Editor of PC Pilot Magazine, the world’s leading flight simulation printed magazine and a contributor to other magazines such as Airliner World. She is an aviation advisor to some of the world’s largest television news channels and was involved in key franchises such as James bond as Director of Development at MGM Studios. In the early 1980s she was a pioneer in the field at Microprose, the leading flight simulation publisher at the time. She went on to hold executive positions at Atari and was Executive In Charge of Production at Electronic Arts. Working in commercial flight simulation gave Whittaker a passion for flying, culminating in a series of type ratings, and a long association with the Boeing 747-400.
“I am deeply honored and excited by my appointment as President of United Virtual,” Whittaker said following the Board’s vote. “This is a time of great upheaval in the flight simulation community, keenly felt by the loss of Microsoft to our hobby. There may well be stormy seas ahead in flight simulation, but I look forward with relish to steering the ship of this great VA. A VA is as much about people as airliners and at United Virtual we have a worldwide membership, encompassing many of the best people this hobby has to offer. It is a real pleasure to serve.”
About United Virtual Airlines
United Virtual Airlines™ (UVA) is a virtual airline for flight simulation. The organization is made up of a group of flight simulation enthusiasts who love flying under the United colors and enjoy being a part of the highest-quality virtual airline on the Internet. From our training classes through our innovative pilot category ranking system to the vibrant community of the forums, we provide an unique experience for both online and offline flight simulator pilots. Additional information about United Virtual Airlines can be found online at
http://www.united-virtual.com.
###
Contact:
Corporate Communications Division (VHQCC)
United Virtual Airlines
vhqcc@united-virtual.com
http://www.united-virtual.com [/size]
