This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants
We’re excited to introduce the next group of pre-merger Alaska MEC Committee Chairpersons and Representatives for the upcoming MEC Officer term. They’ll begin transitioning into their roles over the next few months and officially start their terms on January 1, 2026. Below, you’ll find brief biographies that highlight their backgrounds and experiences as they prepare to support our Flight Attendant group.
David Lake, MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee LOSA Representative
David began his career as a Flight Attendant in 1979, initially based in Denver with Continental Airlines and since 1982 at Alaska Airlines.
He is currently the Council 19 (SEA) Air Safety, Health, and Security Committee Chairperson. In addition to his primary responsibilities of improving Flight Attendants’ health, safety, and security, he works with SEA base management on various areas relating to the Flight Attendant group, including ground and flight operations, training, aircraft catering, maintenance, and customer service.
Before his current role on the Council 19 ASHSC and as the MEC ASHSC LOSA Representative, he served as the MEC ASHSC Chairperson. Passionate about continuous improvement, David remains dedicated to strengthening programs that ensure the well-being and operational excellence of his colleagues throughout the airline.
Brad Young, MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee ASAP & FRB Primary Representative
Brad has been a San Francisco–based Flight Attendant since 2010. He began his career with Virgin America during its early years, when the airline operated just a few aircraft and served a limited number of destinations.
His in-depth AFA involvement began when he was appointed the Local Safety Committee Chairperson for the AFA Alaska Council at the newly established SFO base following Alaska Airlines’ acquisition of Virgin America in 2017. Later that same year, he was elected to office, marking the start of his formal leadership within our Union.
After being re-elected as Council Representative in 2019 and again in 2022, Brad continues to advocate for his peers with dedication and experience. He is enthusiastic about representing over 10,000 Flight Attendants as the combined Alaska/Hawaiian merger approaches Single Operating Certificate (SOC) in October 2025.
Brad has also served as the MEC Air Safety, Health, and Security Committee (ASHSC) Vice Chairperson since 2018, where he holds primary responsibility for member representation in both the ASAP and Fatigue Review Board (FRB) programs. He was also recently elected to serve a third term as MEC ASHSC Vice Chairperson.
Ronda Ruderman, MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee ASAP Alternate Representative
Ronda began her career in 1985 when she was hired by Alaska Airlines. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering and has dedicated a significant portion of her professional life to safety. For 25 years, she served as MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Chairperson and has been a member of the Committee for an impressive 40 years. In 2006, Ronda played a key role in launching the ASAP Program at Alaska Airlines and has maintained ongoing involvement in the ASAP Event Review Committee ever since.
Her commitment to excellence is further evidenced by her positions as an AFA Inflight Service Committee Member and an Inflight Training Instructor. Additionally, Ronda is the Chair of the AFA International Aircraft Technical Committee and serves as an AFA International Training Instructor, sharing her expertise with the ASHSC and in accident investigations. Passionate about her role, she truly enjoys assisting her fellow Flight Attendants and continues to find joy in flying.
Julie Thornton, MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson
Julie Thornton is a proud Seattle native, who earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Communication and Spanish from the University of Washington. Her college years were filled with vibrant experiences, including active involvement in Kappa Delta sorority, where she attended social gatherings and devoted time to philanthropic events—moments that helped shape her love for community and leadership. (Go Huskies!)
Julie’s professional story began on the shores of South Lake Union, where she spent just over two years at a boutique Public Relations firm. While she thrived in the fast-paced PR environment, Julie soon realized her heart was set on a career that combined her love of travel, helping others, and making a tangible difference. In 2013, Julie took a leap and joined Alaska Airlines as a Flight Attendant, initially based in Los Angeles.
Julie’s commitment to service quickly found an outlet, in 2014 she began volunteering on the Seattle Reserve Committee as a Reserve Buddy. In this mentorship role, Julie welcomed and supported new reserve Flight Attendants, sharing her insights and easing their transitions. In 2018, she was selected as the Seattle Reserve Committee Chairperson—a role in which she fostered a supportive environment for her SEA peers. Julie’s AFA journey continued to blossom in 2020, Julie was elected to serve her first term as the MEC Reserve Committee Chairperson. Her impact grew further; in 2020 she joined the Seattle Grievance Committee as a Grievance Committee Member. In her new role as Grievance Committee Payroll Representative, she hopes to create enhanced training workshops and peer support resources, making the often-challenging pay system more accessible for all.
When Julie isn’t soaring at 35,000 feet, she’s spending time with her family and friends. She and her husband love introducing their young son, Brooks, to the wonders of the world—along with their two mischievous chocolate Labradors, Herman and Hazel. Julie’s circle of friends and family is her anchor, and she cherishes every moment spent at home or abroad.
Jake Jones, MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson
Jake Jones is a Seattle-based Flight Attendant who has been with Alaska Airlines since 2006. He began serving as the MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson in January 2015 and has held this position for several years. Throughout his career, he has been actively involved in union work, serving multiple terms as the LEC Vice President of Council 19 (SEA). He has also held roles such as the SEA Local Grievance Committee Chairperson and Negotiating Committee Member.
Jake earned an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration and Management and spent seven years in the banking industry, which provided him with valuable skills applicable to his current role. As the AFA MEC Scheduling Committee Chairperson, he is dedicated to advocating for Alaska Flight Attendants and enhancing their contractual rights. He aims to address questions and concerns promptly, ensure compliance with all contractual obligations, and educate Flight Attendants about their rights under the contract.
Outside of work, Jake lives in Auburn and enjoys spending time with friends and family, attending concerts, and participating in sporting events.
Karen Ferrell, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson – Pairing Construction
Karen has worked for Alaska Airlines for over 40 years in various roles. She is currently an Anchorage-based Flight Attendant. Her involvement with AFA began in Council 30 (ANC), where she previously served as the LEC Vice President and Scheduling Committee Co-Chairperson. Since 2016, she has also held the position of of the MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson—Pairing Construction.
Karen has always been interested in the scheduling aspect of our job. Before the current system was implemented, she met with the previous AFA line builder several times to learn about the line-building process. In her current role, she works to find solutions that balance the Company’s priorities and need for operational integrity with the need to create a variety of pairings that can meet the diverse requirements of our workgroup.
Virginia Fritz, MEC Scheduling Committee Vice Chairperson – PBS
Virginia has been a Flight Attendant based in San Francisco since 2015, when she began her career at Virgin America. She has always had a passion for aviation, sparked by her experiences traveling as an unaccompanied minor at age five. Her enthusiasm for the industry has led her to work on a Zeppelin, work as a Gate Agent, and hold the position of Air Transportation Supervisor.
When Alaska Airlines acquired Virgin America, Virginia became an AFA Member and eagerly seized the opportunity to advocate for her fellow Flight Attendants. She has served as the Council 35 (SFO) Scheduling Committee Chairperson and Mobilization Committee Co-Chairperson. Currently, she holds the position of SFO LEC Vice President and is a member of the Joint Negotiating Committee.
Virginia is particularly passionate about PBS and has been involved with the PBS Committee since 2020. She is honored to have been elected to a second term as the MEC Scheduling Vice Chairperson–PBS.
Outside of her advocacy work, Virginia resides in Los Gatos, CA, with her supportive and loving husband, their adorable pup, Strudel, and her especially union-proud grandmother.
Adam Clarey, MEC Scheduling Committee PBS Subcommittee Member
Adam grew up in the Seattle area and has spent most of his life in Washington State. He has been a Flight Attendant with Alaska Airlines since 2004. Adam has been involved as an AFA representative since 2011 and has served on the PBS Committee since 2017. His previous career experience is in marketing and advertising.
In his free time, Adam enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. He also loves outdoor activities such as surfing, camping, golfing, and hiking. Adam is excited to bring his experience, leadership, and compassion to his role as a PBS Subcommittee Member.
Melodie Anderes, MEC Scheduling Committee PBS Subcommittee Member
Melodie began her career as a Flight Attendant with Alaska Airlines in 1997. She was initially based in Anchorage and has since been based in Seattle, San Diego, and is currently Portland-based. In 2018, Melodie became involved with the Local Scheduling Committee, and in 2023, she joined the PBS Committee. She enjoys assisting Flight Attendants with their bids and helping them learn new bidding strategies.
Before joining Alaska Airlines, Melodie studied at Washington State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking and traveling with her husband and two boys, volunteering at her children’s schools, and gardening.
Krystal Kehrli, MEC Scheduling Committee PBS Subcommittee Member
Krystal Kehrli has been a Flight Attendant based in San Francisco since 2008. She currently serves on the Council 35 (SFO) Grievance Committee. Krystal is passionate about helping her colleagues understand the Preferential Bidding System (PBS). Her involvement began during the merger of Virgin America and Alaska Airlines, where she volunteered to teach NAVBLUE PBS and other systems during the integration process.
In 2023, Krystal was elected to the AFA PBS Subcommittee, and she enjoys assisting members with their monthly bidding needs. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve another three-year term supporting Alaska Flight Attendants.
When she’s not flying or helping with bids, Krystal can be found on adventures with her partner and their two young children, participating in races she hasn’t trained for, or singing with the Denver Feminist Chorus.
Bianca Dew, MEC Scheduling Committee FRB Primary Representative
Bianca started her career in 2015 at Virgin America as an SFO-based flight attendant. She holds Associate of Arts in Behavioral Science and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from California Baptist University. After some time flying, she became an Inflight Team Lead and then an Air Transportation Supervisor, where she conducted IOEs and check rides.
Her dedication to the well-being of her peers led her to become actively involved with AFA. She served as the Legacy Virgin America Scheduling Committee Chairperson and currently as MEC Grievance Committee Assistant, where she continues to represent our Flight Attendants. Bianca has remained a steadfast advocate for the needs of Flight Attendants, leveraging her experience to help address the unique challenges of our profession.
Bianca is currently SEA-based, but when she’s not working, Bianca can be found pursuing her love for the outdoors. An avid traveler, she enjoys hiking, reading, gardening, and snowboarding.
Russel Rivinius, MEC Scheduling Committee FRB Alternate Representative
Russel began his career as an Alaska Flight Attendant in early 2017. Initially based in Los Angeles, he has been in Portland for six years. He currently serves on the Council 39 (PDX) Scheduling Committee and has also worked as a Mobilization Volunteer in Portland.
Russel believes it is vital to support Flight Attendants who experience fatigue incidents and ensure their concerns and reasons for using fatigue procedures are taken seriously. Having utilized the FRMP several times personally, he understands the impact fatigue can have on Flight Attendant safety, performance, and well-being.
Before joining Alaska Airlines, Russel worked in the service industry and managed several bars and restaurants. He lives in the beautiful city of Portland with his partner, Fabio, and their cats, Moira and Jonni.
