Lt. General Vern "Rusty" Findley Joins Southern Air as a Board Advisor

NORWALK, Conn., April 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern Air Holdings, Inc. today announced that Lt. Gen. Vern M. "Rusty" Findley II (ret.) of the United States Air Force has joined the company as a Department of Defense (DOD) and business development Board Advisor.  In this role, General Findley will advise Southern Air's senior management team and Board of Directors on matters related to DOD operations, programs and issues and represent the company with other federal agencies and offices in Washington, DC.

Daniel J. McHugh, Chief Executive Officer of Southern Air, said, "We are honored to have General Findley join our company.  An experienced and decorated leader, he will be an invaluable source of counsel given his extensive knowledge of military aviation and government affairs.  As we continue to solidify Southern Air's leadership in the air cargo industry, we look forward to his guidance on DOD matters, as well as company-wide strategic planning."

General Findley said, "Southern Air is a first-rate organization.  I have been very impressed by what the company has accomplished over the last two years under Dan McHugh's leadership, and I am eager to help it achieve its long-term objectives."

General Findley had a distinguished 35-year career in the Air Force. Before retiring in December 2011, he was Vice Commander, Air Mobility Command at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, which is responsible for the bulk of the Air Force's strategic transportation assets and mission. Prior to that, he held numerous operational positions and served on Major Command, Numbered Air Force and joint staffs. From 2006 to 2008, he was Director of Strategy, Plans and Policy at the U.S. Central Command, and in 2005-2006 he served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategy Plans and Assessment for the Multi-National Force-Iraq Commander in Baghdad. As Commander of the 437th Airlift Wing, his unit provided vital support to Operation Enduring Freedom, for which it earned the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" device for valor. During the air war over Serbia, he commanded the 92nd Air Expeditionary Wing, headquartered in Spain. 

General Findley holds M.S. degrees in business administration from the University of North Dakota and national security resource strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He has a B.S. in marketing from Arizona State University.

About Southern Air
Southern Air was founded in 1947 as a high-quality global cargo carrier specializing in the provision of block space and aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance ("ACMI") services.  Southern Air's blue-chip customer base includes some of the world's largest combination cargo carriers and government agencies.  Southern Air currently operates a fleet of six Boeing 747-200s and will be adding eight 747-400s to the fleet by 2013.  Southern Air is the first ACMI operator in the world to operate the new Boeing 777 Freighter and currently operates three such aircraft, with an additional aircraft slated for delivery in April 2012.  Southern Air is a portfolio company of Oak Hill Capital Partners, a private equity firm with considerable expertise in aircraft leasing, financing and manufacturing.

Media Inquiries:
Mark Semer / James David
Kekst and Company
Tel: +1 212-521-4800

SOURCE Southern Air