A former college athlete himself, it’s no wonder Bill MacKayrecognized early that a partnership between Alaska Airlines and UAA Athletics would be mutually beneficial.
That was 1985, when MacKay was instrumental in Alaska Airlines signing on as UAA Athletics' first official corporate partner, and today the airline remains a cornerstone of the Seawolf program thanks to his leadership.
Over that span of time, MacKay and Alaska Airlines have supported all UAA athletic programs, including longstanding and popular promotions at UAA hockey games, the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout and the Seawolf Golf Tournament – just to name a few.
In honor of his service, this past spring UAA Athletics’ highest student-athlete honor was renamed the Bill MacKay Athlete of the Year award.
On a wider scope at the University, MacKay serves on the boards of the University of Alaska Foundation and the UAA Honors College Advisory Board. MacKay’s professional career spans 35 years and he currently serves as senior vice president for Alaska, overseeing all aspects of the airline's passenger and cargo service throughout the state.
He was also responsible for the company's Public and Government Affairs divisions, including corporate community and government affairs efforts.
Over the years, MacKay has served in a variety of key marketing and public affairs roles for the airline and has contributed in all aspects of the carrier's operations both in Alaska and the Lower 48.
An all-state football and baseball player in high school, MacKay was the 1964 New Mexico state shot put champion, and later graduated from the University of New Mexico — where he attended on a track & field scholarship — with a double-major in economics and philosophy.
He served for six years in the U.S. Air Force and worked for Continental Airlines in Albuquerque, San Francisco and Los Angeles before joining Alaska Airlines in 1976.
Active in both industry and civic affairs, MacKay is also on the boards of the Alaska Airlines Foundation, Commonwealth North, Alaska Raptor Center, and the Kenai River Sports Fishing Association.
MacKay and his wife Nancy are the parents of three children.
