=20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This article was sent to you by someone who found it on SF Gate. The original article can be found on SFGate.com here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/news/archive/2003/05/05/f= inancial1606EDT0170.DTL ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Monday, May 5, 2003 (AP) Former ATA chief joins United (05-05) 15:14 PDT CHICAGO (AP) -- United Airlines has hired the former president and CEO of American Trans Air and added him to its top management team as it focuses on boosting sagging revenue in bankruptcy. John Tague, 40, who left ATA last August in a management shakeup, will join United on May 12 in the newly created post of executive vice president for the customer. United said in announcing the hiring on Sunday that he will have responsibility for worldwide alliances, marketing, advertising and reservations, among other areas. His experience running a discount carrier could prove valuable as United prepares to launch its own low-fare airline late this year. Before becoming CEO at ATA, Tague was the Indianapolis-based airline's executive vice president for marketing and headed planning and marketing at Midway Airlines. He previously was chairman and CEO in 1996-97 at Vanguard Airlines, which shut down last year, and worked at Air South, still another discount carrier, based in Columbia, S.C. "John Tague truly understands the dynamics of this industry, its customer base and the unique challenges we all face," United CEO Glenn Tilton said in a news release. "As United focuses on revenue enhancement and the customer experience, John's breadth of knowledge will serve us well not only in his role as executive vice president-customer, but as a member of our core executive team." In a separate move announced Monday, United hired American Airlines maintenance executive Gregory Hall, 42, as its executive vice president in charge of aircraft maintenance, replacing Ron Utecht, who is retiring after 39 years with United. United shares rose 22 cents to close at $1.49 in over-the-counter trading Monday. =20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2003 AP