American Airlines Cargo has announced the appointment of several new leaders in its organization, some who will be joining the Cargo team for the first time.

Cargo senior leadership team

Two new additions to the Cargo senior leadership team include Tim Paliganoff, Director of Customer Experience, and Chris Isaac, Director of Revenue Management.

Tim has been a part of the Cargo team since 1996, when he joined the Cargo Sales organization after working as a Passenger Service Agent in Chicago. He has held a half dozen different roles within Cargo Sales, but most recently served as the Senior Manager of Field Operations, with oversight of the operations in more than 120 cities. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a passion and accountability for operational performance, safety and security, with focus directed at improving the way the airline delivers a world-class experience for its customers and team members. Tim takes on this role left vacant by Eric Mathieu, who now leads the Cargo operation in Miami, as Director, Cargo Ops – MIA.

Chris, filling the position formerly held by Lori Sinn, has held various roles with the company, including 12 years in Revenue Management, leading various companywide efforts, such as increased capacity utilization and the TWA integration. Most recently, he served as Director, Customer Service Recovery and Customer Experience Innovation, leading teams to improve how the airline accommodates customers during irregular operations, and leveraging emerging technologies to deliver much-anticipated customer-facing solutions. Chris has also been a pioneer in the company’s Delivery Transformation initiatives to redefine the way it develops and delivers technology solutions, and spent time leading the Digital Communications and Digital Marketing teams.

"I'm excited to have such caring, customer-oriented leaders joining the Cargo team, and for the depth and breadth of experience they bring to their new roles," said Rick Elieson, President, American Airlines Cargo.

Cargo operations leadership

Lorraine Chin has joined the Cargo team as General Manager, Cargo Operations at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). An up-and-coming leader at American, she takes on this new role after serving as one of its managers, overseeing Ramp operations at LAX, following vast experience in various operational roles across the company, including Customer Operations, Customer Care, Tower Control, and Reservations.

On the east coast, Brian Cooley has been promoted to General Manager, Cargo Operations – Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). Brian has over 20 years of Cargo experience, most recently serving as the Cargo Duty Manager at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), where he was Chairman of the Kennedy Airport Airlines Management Council for Cargo Operations (KAAMCO).

Rich Burkhardt will be assuming the Sr. Manager, Cargo Field and Mail Operations role. Rich currently serves as the General Manager, Cargo Operations – JFK. Rich has a wealth of Cargo experience having led one of American’s largest Cargo hubs at JFK in addition to managing regional spoke and postal operations. Rich has a Bachelor of Science and MBA from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and was an adjunct professor at York College in Jamaica, New York.

Rich was also recently named the Person of the Year by the KAAMCO Cargo Committee Board.

"We're extremely lucky and excited to have people like Lorraine, Brian and Rich leading key parts of our cargo operation, said "David Vance, VP, Operations, American Airlines Cargo. "They each have outstanding operational and leadership backgrounds, and a knack for providing exceptional customer service."