Meet Our Pre-Merger Alaska Committee Chairperson & Representatives

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants

We’re excited to introduce the first 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.

Bianca Dew, MEC Grievance Committee Assistant

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.

Julie Thornton, MEC Grievance Committee Payroll Representative

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 appointed 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. 

Orna Samuelly, MEC Grievance Committee Payroll Representative

Orna Samuelly is joining the Grievance Committee as a Payroll Representative. A transplanted New Yorker, Orna now calls Seattle home. She holds a BA from Williams College and an MA from Brown University.   Orna’s passion for the airline industry started years back at American Airlines and Northwest Airlines in Revenue Management. After years in consulting and financial management, she found her way back to the industry she loves.   

Orna volunteered to join the Grievance Committee as a Payroll Representative to apply her analytical skills to support fellow Flight Attendants. She also volunteers as the Treasurer on the Board of Purrfect Pals, a Washington cat shelter, and at the Seattle Aquarium, where she loves teaching people about the Giant Pacific Octopus and inspiring them to protect our amazing oceans.   

Orna is excited to support fellow Flight Attendants with their payroll issues, whether to right wrongs or to understand the contract clauses that have impacted their payroll.   Orna has been a Flight Attendant for the last 3 years. She is having fun with it, most of the time, treating it as an adventure, both in the air and on layovers. Discovering Alaska has been a treat, from fabulous hikes in Sitka and Juneau to encountering the big brown bears of Katmai.   

David Jelinek, MEC Uniform Committee Chairperson

David was born and raised on a ranch in a small town in southern Colorado. He attended the University of Northern Colorado and obtained a degree in Costume Design for Theater. He began his career as a flight attendant in 2005 with Frontier Airlines, which is based in Denver. During that time, he served on the Uniform Committee for five years. In 2007, he moved to Portland for love, which, after twenty years, is still going strong. 

In 2013, he began flying for Alaska Airlines. After a bit of coaxing, he joined the Uniform Committee, and in 2017, he took over the position of the Local Uniform Committee Chairperson for Council 39 and the PDX base. David also serves on the Air Safety, Health, and Security Committee (ASHSC), where he has addressed safety concerns in our work environment and performed evacuation drills and proving flights for the FAA on the Airbus and new Boeing MAX aircraft. 

When not flying, David creates gowns and costumes for stage and drag performers. Halloween is a frenzy when he enters his stress-out period to create his costume to top the year before. When not spending time in the air or his sewing room, he enjoys RV camping with his husband, projects on their house, and walks around the neighborhood with their Schnauzer, Baxter. 

After 20 years of flying and five uniforms, David is excited to take on the position of MEC Uniform Committee Chairperson. He is committed to working hard to address Flight Attendant concerns and advocate for a professional, safe, and comfortable uniform for all.