Alaska-based Northern Air Cargo has appointed Mark Lester as its permanent president and CEO, ending an interim leadership period that began in March 2025.
Lester will officially take over from Interim President Dave Karp on Sept. 21, the company announced Friday.
Northern Air Cargo is part of Seattle-based Saltchuk Resources, a diversified group with operations spanning freight transportation, logistics and energy distribution.
Lester joins Northern Air Cargo after spending the past 18 months leading aerospace strategy at Merrick & Co., an engineering firm. His previous experience includes nearly three years as head of Alaska Aerospace Corp., a spaceport operator, until mid-2021.
He also served for nearly three years during the last decade as CEO of Doss Aviation, a flight training academy. Between those executive positions, Lester worked as a consultant.
Northern Air Cargo described its incoming CEO as a seasoned executive with experience in safety-critical and regulated operations. The company said he has successfully managed complex organizations through operational transformation and growth while maintaining continuity of service.
“Mark’s experience and commitment to Alaska will serve our communities well as Northern Air Cargo looks to grow and deepen its services, continuing to build on more than 70 years of dependable service to the state,” said Mike Thompson, president and CEO of Saltchuk Aviation, NAC’s parent company, in a news release.
From financial pressure to a narrower network
Karp assumed leadership during a difficult period for Northern Air Cargo, when the carrier was losing money and began moving away from long-haul flying.
Under that strategy, the airline shifted its focus toward intra-island Hawaii and Alaska operations. Sister carrier Aloha Air Cargo now handles all of the group’s flying in Hawaii.
Last year, Northern Air Cargo returned several Boeing 767-300 converted freighters to their lessors and withdrew from the Hawaii and Caribbean/Latin America markets, which it had served from Miami.
The carrier’s current operation is considerably smaller.
According to aviation databases, NAC operates three freighters in Alaska: one Boeing 737-400 and two 737-800s. A fourth aircraft, a 737-300, is leased to another carrier.
Seattle remains an important part of the network. The city serves as a major transfer point for Alaska-bound and Alaska-originating freight, including exports such as seafood, while also acting as a supply source for communities across the state.
Karp will leave the CEO position but remain within the wider organization. According to Northern Air Cargo, he will return to his previous position as senior vice president and managing director, Alaska, at Saltchuk Resources.
Revenue rises as costs climb
Northern Air Cargo recorded $9 million in net income during the 12 months ended March 31, according to data filed with the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
Operating profit improved by 15% to $15 million over the same period.
Revenue more than tripled to $144 million, although that growth came alongside a sharp increase in costs. The significant year-over-year rise in expenses likely reflects penalties associated with the early termination of aircraft leases.
The financial results underline the broader changes Northern Air Cargo has made as it moves toward a more focused operating model centered on Alaska.
Why it matters
Northern Air Cargo may be a relatively small carrier, but a change at the top can have implications for customers and competitors alike.
The airline competes in the Alaska market with Alaska Airlines and Lynden Air Cargo, which is part of the Lynden family of companies. With Lester now taking permanent control, the carrier’s next phase will be closely watched as it seeks to strengthen its Alaska services while operating with a substantially narrower network than in previous years.
