We’re excited to introduce our next group of newly elected merged MEC Committee Chairpersons, who will begin their roles on November 1. These leaders are dedicated to representing the interests of our Flight Attendants as they coordinate activities across the merged committees of both airlines. They’ll work closely with the Local Committee Chairpersons from all eight Local Councils, ensuring that the voices of both pre-merger Alaska and pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants are heard and advocated for. Below, you’ll find brief bios that showcase their backgrounds and experiences as they prepare to support our combined Flight Attendant group.
Seth Heiple, MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Chairperson
Seth Heiple started his Flight Attendant career in 1996 at Northwest Airlines and became an Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant in 2008.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business and Economics and is currently the MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Chairperson for the pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants.
In this role, Seth is dedicated to maintaining and improving the safety, health, and security of both the pre-merger Hawaiian and pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants. He intends to achieve this by supporting the merged ASHSC as it works to ensure the safety of our work environments and advocates for the necessary policies, procedures, and tools that allow us to fulfill our roles effectively as aviation’s first responders.
Seth is based and lives in Portland, Oregon, with his roommate, grandma (98). In his free time, he enjoys walking Portland’s neighborhoods, listening to audiobooks, game nights with friends, and spending time with his extended family in Portland and San Francisco.
Kerri Ruiz, MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Vice Chairperson
Kerri started her Flight Attendant career with Alaska Airlines in 1998 and then joined Hawaiian Airlines in 1999. She was based in Los Angeles for over 10 years and was an active member of the Local Air Safety, Health, and Security (ASHS) Committee. When she transferred to the Honolulu base, she held various AFA positions, including LEC Secretary, MEC Membership and Benefits Committee Chairperson, and, most recently, MEC ASHS Committee Chairperson. However, her affinity and forte have always been working in safety.
Kerri has one daughter, several stepchildren, and several grandchildren. She enjoys traveling to new destinations with friends and family while nurturing her ties throughout the Hawaiian community.
Brad Young, MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Vice Chairperson
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 is honored and humbled to have been elected to serve a third term as MEC ASHSC Vice Chairperson..
Deb Wallstrom, MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee Air Quality Representative
Deb began her career as a Flight Attendant with Alaska Airlines in 1998. She is currently based in Anchorage, though she has previously been based in Los Angeles and San Diego. In 2013, she became involved in AFA work with the Air Safety, Health, and Security Committee and is now the Chairperson for Council 30 (ANC) of the ASHSC. Additionally, she serves on the Benefits Committee. As the Air Quality Representative, Deb is dedicated to ensuring that Members are well-informed and is passionate about helping support Flight Attendants following an air quality event.
Outside of work, Deb enjoys hiking, reading, and knitting. She frequently travels between Alaska, Seattle, and Southern California to visit family.
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