Rick Wysong
SVP – Technical Operations

An industry veteran with more than 23 years of experience overseeing large and complex operations, Rick joined Virgin America in March of 2009.

Rick brings a strong depth and breadth of expertise in operations, engineering, product development and revenue management. Most recently, Rick served as Vice President of Engineering, Materials and Planning at United Airlines, where he led Engineering, Supply Chain and Fleet Management operations for the carrier and oversaw 600 employees and some of United’s largest vendor contracts. Rick led efforts to improve United’s onboard product, including certification and installation of United’s international business class product. He also championed the implementation of Lean/Six Sigma continuous improvement principles and used an open, collaborative approach with employees to improve speed to market for reliability and cabin improvements. Prior to that, Rick held the position of Vice President of Strategic Planning and Budgets for United’s technical division, based at San Francisco International Airport.

Rick joined United Airlines in 1985 as an intern and rapidly rose through a variety of positions in Revenue Management and Corporate Research and Development to become director of United’s Operations Research department. In 1995, Rick moved to San Francisco as Director of Maintenance Planning and was later promoted to General Manager-Material Management and Maintenance Planning, overseeing 1400 storekeepers as well as planning, budget and materials management for technical operations. In 2003, Rick was appointed Vice President of Revenue Management at United’s Chicago headquarters.

Rick graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Geography from Ohio State University. He also holds a Master of Science degree in Transportation from Northwestern University.

Rick resides with his wife Nancy and two daughters in San Mateo, California, where he is a Trustee of the San Mateo Public Library. Rick also serves as Virgin America's representative to the Bay Area Council.