NAC Hires Aviation Vet for CEO
Photo Credit: Northern Air Cargo
Northern Air Cargo (NAC) has a new President and CEO. Mark Lester, who formerly led the state-owned Alaska Aerospace Corporation, takes over for Dave Karp, who was running the cargo airline in the interim. Karp returns to his regular duties as SVP Managing Director, Alaska, at Saltchuk Resources, the holding company for NAC and several other transport and logistics providers.
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November 2026
“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 seventy years of dependable service to the state,” says Mike Thompson, president and CEO of Saltchuk Aviation, NAC’s parent company. “His proven track record leading mission-driven organizations in challenging environments, combined with his deep expertise in building high-accountability cultures and strengthening stakeholder relationships, makes him the ideal leader for Northern Air Cargo.”
A former US Air Force officer and a certificated private pilot, Lester’s background includes leadership in aviation services, commercial aerospace, defense, and strategy. He previously served as CEO of Doss Aviation. Lester holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Norwich University and a master’s degree in engineering from the University of Colorado. He is pursuing a doctorate in aviation business administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
“I am honored to lead Northern Air Cargo at this pivotal time,” says Lester. “The airline’s commitment to serving Alaska’s communities, especially in rural areas where we are often the only reliable transportation link, resonates deeply with my values and experience. I look forward to working with the dedicated team across the state to expand our fleet and strengthen the partnerships that keep Alaska connected.”
Meanwhile, the Tacoma, Washington office of sister company Carlile Transportation, part of Saltchuk’s TOTE Group business line, is getting some new leaders. Bryan Yorke, previously Carlile’s Vice President of Commercial, is promoted to President. He succeeds Krista Williams, who led Carlile for nearly three years, through the trucking company’s integration with Naniq Global Logistics. Yorke previously served as vice president of commercial at LifeMed Alaska.
To succeed Yorke as Vice President of Commercial at Carlile, Chris Rye transfers from sister company TOTE Maritime Alaska, based in Tacoma, where he was serving as vice president of sales. He and Yorke worked together for six years at the company.
