EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

Jim Graham joined Endeavor Air as Chief Executive Officer in October 2020. Prior to this role, Captain Graham served as Senior Vice President – Corporate Safety, Security, and Compliance group for Delta Air Lines.

In addition to his role at Endeavor, Jim serves as Senior Vice President, Delta Air Lines – Delta Connection.

Jim joined Delta in 1988 as a line pilot. During his career, he has held numerous leadership positions, including S.V.P. – Flight Operations, V.P. – Flying Operations, and Chief Pilot, where he was responsible for the overall conduct of worldwide daily flight operations pertaining to aircraft operations, policies and procedures, pilot qualifications, and Federal Aviation Regulation compliance. 

Prior to joining Delta, Jim was a Naval Aviator flying the P-3C Orion aircraft in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. After serving seven years of active duty, he transitioned to the Navy Reserve and retired after a 20-year career.

He is a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

Phillip Underwood joined Endeavor Air as Chief Operating Officer in June 2021. Prior to this role, he served as Managing Director of Delta Connection.

Phillip has over twenty years of aviation experience with Delta Air Lines in leadership roles in Finance, Tech Ops, MRO Service Operations, and most recently, Delta Connection. At Endeavor, Phillip oversees the operation of the airline, and works closely with the executive leadership team to execute the goals outlined in Endeavor’s Flight Plan.   

Phillip graduated from the University of South Alabama with a B.S. in Accounting and Marketing and holds his MBA from the University of Georgia. He served in the United States Marine Corps in both Active and Reserve Duty, and he is a combat veteran of the first Gulf War. 

Bill Donohue was named Vice President of Maintenance and Technical Services in January 2012. He is responsible for maintenance of the aircraft fleet and aircraft maintenance facilities across the country. Prior to his current role, Donohue was Vice President of Technical Operations for Mesaba Airlines. He has an extensive background in the airline industry, where he began his career in 1980 as a mechanic for Eastern Airlines and later worked for United Airlines. He quickly moved up at United, serving as a maintenance planner and a maintenance foreman before holding managerial positions over a seven-year period. In October 2004, Donohue moved to Air Wisconsin, where he served as a director of hub operations at Chicago O'Hare. In May 2005, he moved to Mesaba as Director of Maintenance Planning and Heavy Maintenance, and was named Director of Maintenance in 2007. Donohue graduated as an FAA airframe and powerplant mechanic from Teterboro School of Aeronautics in Teterboro, N.J., where he earned an Associate's Degree in Professional Studies as well. He also holds a BS in Business Administration from St. Mary's University of Minnesota.

Jodie Douglas joined Endeavor Air in February 2013 with more than 15 years of experience working in aviation human resources. Jodie is responsible for all human resource functions, including talent acquisition, employee relations, compensation, benefits and organizational development that support Endeavor’s team of aviation professionals. In her role as Vice President, Human Resources, Jodie is passionate about maintaining a workplace culture that celebrates and recognizes the success of our employee efforts, while also providing competitive compensation and benefits. Jodie has a BS in Human Resources and holds her SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications. Prior to Endeavor, Jodie held executive leadership roles in aviation at Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, and Aviation Technical Services.

Russ Elander was named Vice President of Flight Operations for Endeavor Air in May 2013. He is responsible for all flight operations and the System Operation Control Center. Russ joined Endeavor Air in October 2004 as Vice President of Ground Operations. Prior to joining Endeavor, he was in senior management positions with Midway Airlines Corp. from 1998 to 2002, serving as Vice President, Customer Service Operations. In 1996, he played a key role in the certification and startup of Corporate Airlines, where he remained as the managing director until joining Midway Airlines. From 1987 to 1996, he was employed by American Eagle Airlines where he held leadership positions, including multiple managing director assignments. He began his aviation career at Air Midwest in 1987.

Jay Furnish was named Vice President, Network and Resource Planning, in February 2016. Jay brings a wide range of experience to Endeavor. With more than 25 years of leadership experience in the mainline, regional, and fractional aviation industries, his insight into planning and resource allocation allows Endeavor to enjoy an efficient operational throughput, as well as an effective strategy when working around the ever-changing dynamics of commercial aviation. Jay started his aviation career in 1987 fueling planes in SRQ, then as a customer service agent at Continental Airlines. During that period, Jay completed his BS in Accounting and left the aviation industry in 1997 to work as an auditor for the public accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers. Jay returned to the aviation industry in 2000, holding a variety of leadership roles in finance and operations at Comair and Delta Private Jets prior to joining Endeavor.  

Patty Allen was named Vice President, Inflight Services, in January 2019. In this role, Patty is responsible for providing strategic leadership to Endeavor's flight attendant team with a focus on continually improving the experience of our customers and flight attendants alike.  Patty started her aviation career in 2003 as a flight attendant and has since held various corporate and leadership roles at the company, including HR Recruiter, IFS Quality Assurance Manager,  and Director of Inflight Operations. Most recently, Patty served as Director, Inflight Services.