William S. "Bill" Ayer, 52, is chairman, president and chief executive officer of Alaska Airlines and Alaska Air Group which is the parent company of Alaska Airlines and its sister carrier Horizon Air.

Originally interested in being a physician, he later changed career goals. He is graduate of Stanford University with a bachelor's degree in economics and biology, Ayer earned a master's degree in business administration from the University of Washington. He holds commercial and flight instructor pilot certificates with instrument and multi-engine ratings.

Ayer founded and was president of Air Olympia, a commuter airline serving Washington state. “We operated for two years,” noted Ayer. “We didn’t go broke, but we probably would have if we’d stuck with it.” He also served as a regional manager for Piper Aircraft Co.