April 25, 2006
Israeli airline executive to speak at SIUC
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- An executive with Israel's national airline will provide an international perspective on the industry later this week at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
Ran Ackerman, a senior marketing manager with EL AL Airlines Maintenance and Engineering will return to the Carbondale campus for the Global Aviation Organization's annual recognition dinner, Friday, April 28. The dinner is at 6 p.m. in the Student Center's Old Main Restaurant.
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Media Advisory
Reporters and photographers are welcome to cover the dinner. Ackerman will be available for interviews. For more information, contact David A. NewMyer, chair of the Department of Aviation Management and Flight, at 618/453-8898.
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Ackerman earned a bachelor's degree in aviation management and flight from SIUC in December 1996. He earned an MBA from the University of Derby in England.
He will discuss flying airplanes and airline travel in secure environments, said David A. NewMyer, chair of SIUC's aviation management and flight program, and GAO faculty advisor.
"What we have been experiencing since 9-11 they have experienced since the birth of Israel," NewMyer said. The airline has had to deal with hijacking threats "very directly," he said.
Swapnil A. Shah, a junior in aviation management, is GAO president. El Al Airlines is the world's safest airline with the highest security procedures, Shah said, adding he is curious how the international air carrier balances "what is viewed as ‘tough security' with customer satisfaction."
The dinner is $15 for students; $25 for non-students. Tickets are available from GAO members, in SIUC's Aviation Management and Flight office in the College of Applied Sciences and Arts Room 127, and at the weather/dispatch counter in Southern Illinois Airport's main terminal between Carbondale and Murphysboro.
Developing citizen-leaders with global perspectives is among the goals of Southern at 150: Building Excellence Through Commitment, the blueprint the University is following as it approaches its 150th anniversary in 2019.