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From avionics engineer to the CEO of Africa’s largest carrier, Mr. Mesfin Tasew Bekele is now the top decision-maker at Ethiopian Airlines.
With the early retirement of long-time CEO Tewolde GebreMariam due to personal health issues, the airline has had to find a new leader. With the announcement of GebreMariam’s departure on March 23rd, there was some uncertainty about when his replacement would be named. However, the very next day, Ethiopian Airlines issued a statement announcing the appointment of Mr Mesfin Tasew Bekele as the new head of the carrier. Who is he, and what kind of experience does he bring to the position?
An already long career at Ethiopian Airlines
Starting his career at Ethiopian as an avionics engineer in 1984, Bekele moved up to become the supervisor of the avionics engineering group by 1994. He was then tasked to manage the airline’s Planning and Automation, Maintenance, and Engineering Division(s) from 1995 to 1997. Following this, Bekele became VP of Maintenance and Engineering from 2006 to 2010 and the airline’s Chief Information Officer from 1998 to 2006.
With this solid foundation of both technical, managerial, and administrative experience, Bekele would move up to one of the top spots at Ethiopian. It was in 2010 that he was appointed as the carrier’s Chief Operating Officer (COO). Presumably working quite closely with Tewolde GebreMariam, he would remain in this position until 2021. Ethiopian Airlines states that, during his time as COO, Mr Mesfin Tasew Bekele “successfully led the operation of the airline in an efficient and cost effective way by optimizing processes and developing internal resources to cope up with the airline’s growth strategy.”
A very short time at ASKY Airlines
While a short stay in any job generally isn’t a good look on a CV- moving up to lead a larger organization would be an exception. It was just last year, in 2021, that Bekele would be appointed the CEO of ASKY Airlines- an African carrier and subsidiary of the Ethiopian Airlines Group.
As the top boss for ASKY, Ethiopian Airlines notes that Bekele executed a “profitable growth strategy” during his time at the airline.
The right experience to lead Ethiopian
With over a decade as Ethiopian Airlines’ COO and a short stint as an airline CEO himself, Bekele appears to be a suitable, competent successor to GebreMariam. The fact that Bekele has worked closely with the outgoing CEO between 2015 and 2021 should give us some assurance that the airline’s streak of success and growth will continue.
Commenting on his new position, Bekele offered the following statement:
“I am honored and humbled to be appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines Group which I have been serving for nearly four decades in various positions. My new role gives me the opportunity to carry on with the fast and profitable growth of our beloved airline and take it to the next level. I call on all my colleagues at Ethiopian to join hands and forge ahead for further success.”
While his on-the-job training and occupational experience speak volumes about the new airline CEO’s suitability to lead the carrier, it should also be noted that he holds a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA), an MSc in Electrical Engineering (specializing in Communications Engineering), and a BSc degree in Electrical Engineering.
Do you think we will see any significant changes to the airline with a new leader in place? Let us know by leaving a comment.
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