We’re excited to introduce our first group of newly elected merged MEC Committee Chairpersons, who will begin their roles on June 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.
Brian Palmer, MEC Communications Committee Chairperson
Brian began his career with Alaska Airlines as a Flight Attendant in 2006. Initially based in Anchorage, he has also been based in Los Angeles and Portland and is currently based in Seattle. His involvement with AFA began in 2009 when he joined the Council 39 (Portland) Reserve Committee, driven by a desire to improve the quality of life for his fellow reserve Flight Attendants. Over the years, Brian has taken on various leadership roles to advocate for Members’ needs. He has served as the Council 39 Reserve Committee Chairperson, Council 39 LEC Vice President, and Alaska MEC Vice President.
Now, as he steps into the role of MEC Communications Committee Chairperson for the combined Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendant group, he remains focused on ensuring that every Member feels represented and heard. Brian is deeply committed to empowering our Flight Attendants and improving communication by sharing information more broadly, creating connections, and building networks that make resources easily accessible to all members. His primary objectives include strengthening the Local Communications Committees, developing a new AFA website tailored for the combined Flight Attendant group, and introducing more engaging short-form video content across AFA communication channels.
Before joining Alaska Airlines, Brian held various leadership positions in the hotel and retail banking industries. After more than a decade of commuting from the East Coast, he now resides in the Seattle area.
Bruni Agosto-Pinal, MEC Government Affairs Committee Chairperson
Bruni began her career as a Flight Attendant in May 2018. She holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree and has had experience in several industries, mostly centered around people and the protection of those who are most vulnerable. Bruni has goals of obtaining a J.D. when the time is right. Both her parents were Union leaders in Puerto Rico in the 80s and 90s, and this idea of having strength in numbers has always resonated with her. Bruni naturally has an interest in politics and social issues and discovered in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic how Congress could have a say in her career as a Flight Attendant; she received a WARN notice, and she, along with many others, would be furloughed unless the Payroll Support Program was passed. This is how she became involved with the Government Affairs Committee, and since then, she hasn’t looked back! Recognizing that our voices deserve to be heard at the local, state, and federal level, she focuses on educating her flying partners about the legislative process and actions that Flight Attendants can take to make a difference. She participated in the latest fly-in to Washington, D.C., to meet with lawmakers regarding the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Bill, which includes provisions regarding cabin air safety, PUMP guidance for airlines and nursing crewmembers, and temperature in aircraft cabins, to name a few.
Bruni’s vision is to continue nurturing the passion displayed by Flight Attendants on issues that are important to them and use the momentum past leaders have created within this committee to continue addressing Flight Attendant priorities affecting the safety, income, job security, and overall careers of our Flight Attendant group on all legislative levels. She would like to increase FlightPAC contributions of our membership by at least 20% to ensure our voices continue to be heard in Washington, D.C. Finally, she would like to create a space where Flight Attendants can be empowered to take action and no longer be afraid of politics- because at the end of the day “you may not do politics, but politics is going to do you!” so, why not have a say in the matter? Bruni enjoys spending time with her family in South Florida and the Caribbean islands of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Family ties and culture are extremely important to her. She loves reading, any beach-related activities, anything beauty and makeup related, and live music.
Chip Hestle, MEC Human Rights Committee Chairperson
Chip began his career as a Seattle-based Flight Attendant for Alaska Airlines in 1991. As the new merged MEC Human Rights and Equity Committee Chairperson, Chip will continue to promote activities that foster greater understanding of one another and the diversity of our membership to build bridges and strengthen our Union. He is also a sitting member of the AFA-CWA International Human Rights and Equity Committee.
Before joining Alaska Airlines, Chip was a Pan American Flight Attendant based at JFK. His life experiences and understanding of the world and its complexities created his passion for human rights and diversity.
When Chip is not working, he spends time with his husband, Ross, also a Seattle-based flight Attendant, and their family. He enjoys traveling, karaoke, and volunteering in the community.
Chase Vandergrift, MEC Inflight Service Committee Chairperson—Alaska Brand
Chase started his career at Alaska as a Flight Attendant in 2005. A UCSD grad with a degree in media, he found his way to the skies shortly after college. When the San Diego base opened in 2013, he was thrilled to return to his college town. Over the years, he’s taken on roles that let him support and connect with his fellow crew members. He has served as the San Diego Chairperson of the Inflight Service Committee for nearly a decade and contributed to the AFA Scheduling Committee. He’s passionate about making the in-flight experience as smooth, friendly, and fun for crews as possible.
A lifelong traveler, Chase grew up on the standby list—his mom was a United Flight Attendant who spent over four decades in the skies. That upbringing sparked a love for adventure and a curiosity for places off the beaten path. When he’s not flying for work, he’s often chasing powder on a ski trip or exploring somewhere unexpected—recent destinations include Kurdistan, and Moldova, Europe’s least-visited destination.
Bianca McKee, MEC Inflight Service Committee Chairperson—Hawaiian Brand
Bianca started her career as a Flight Attendant in 2015. Having been born and raised on Oʻahu, she pursued her higher education under the University of Hawaiʻi system, where she majored in Business and Travel Industry Management. Before joining Hawaiian Airlines, Bianca dedicated eight years to the restaurant industry, gaining experience in serving, bartending, and training new employees. Her enthusiasm for hospitality and dynamic work environments naturally led to a successful career as a Flight Attendant.
Bianca’s involvement with Union work began in 2024 with Honolulu’s Council 43, where she joined the Medium Haul Service Committee for the new Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Through gathering feedback, the committee successfully implemented several changes to benefit AFA Members. Drawing on her extensive experience with the Dreamliner aircraft, Bianca further volunteered to serve on the Long Haul Service Committee with the company. Her participation in these committees, on both the Union and company sides, has provided her with a deep understanding of the complexities involved in tailoring inflight services. Bianca is highly motivated and committed to upholding the Hawaiian Brand as we move towards achieving a single operating certificate. She is eager to serve as a strong source of support for Union members during this period of new routes and evolving flight operations.
