ATSG has come a long way in the past 40 years.

One of its airlines, ABX Air, began operations at Wilmington Industrial Air Park in April 1980 for express package delivery firm Airborne Express. The airline grew its fleet to over a hundred aircraft and operated a nationwide network of sorting facilities.

During the same period, Air Transport International, began operations in Ypsilanti, Michigan, flying freight throughout the Eastern U.S. and gradually evolving into an accomplished provider of passenger and cargo airlift for military and commercial customers.

In 2007 these airlines came together when ABX Air was reorganized under a holding company called Air Transport Services Group, Inc., which acquired ATI, along with leasing company, Cargo Aircraft Management. Shortly thereafter the company formed a maintenance subsidiary, Airborne Maintenance & Engineering Services, and an airport operations services company, LGSTX Services, Inc.

In 2018 ATSG acquired another airline, Omni Air International.

Today ATSG is a diverse $1.4 billion company that, through its leasing and airline subsidiaries, is the world’s largest owner and operator of converted Boeing 767 freighter aircraft. It has 96 aircraft in service, including 35 Boeing 767-200s, 51 Boeing 767-300s, eight Boeing 757-200s, and three Boeing 777-200s.

Even though we are headquartered in this beautiful small town of Wilmington, Ohio, we are doing business around the world with customers such as Amazon, DHL, and the U.S. Department of Defense.

But change is always around the corner. This year the world witnessed how devastating a pandemic can be, and businesses and individuals alike have been put to the test.

As a critical provider of air freight services, ATSG companies have continued to move packages and passengers during this time, keeping important supplies flowing to places where they are needed.

Naturally, this means the air crews, technicians, clerks, and all of the other 4,000 employees across the corporation are among our nation’s brave, essential workers.

To ensure the safety of those essential workers, ATSG continues to take aggressive steps to reduce the spread of Covid-19 not only at its headquarters in Wilmington but everywhere it operates. Aircraft, buildings, and equipment are routinely cleaned and disinfected; temperature checks, masks, and social distancing are required; and changes to work processes have been implemented to reduce risk.

“We take very seriously our duty to protect our employees and their families, our customers and vendors, and all who interact with us,” said Ed Koharik, chief operating officer of ATSG. “Essential workers everywhere are the true heroes, and we owe it to them to do everything we can to keep them safe.”

People are the heart and soul of any organization, of course, and ATSG has expressed its commitment to providing opportunities for people to grow their career by increasing their knowledge, experience, and access to advancement.

“Quite simply, our people are the reason for our success,” said Debbie Loveless, vice president of human capital for ATSG. “We hire dedicated, hardworking, team-oriented people who want to make an impact.”

Those interested in exploring careers with ATSG companies can learn more at atsginc.com/careers.

ATSG continues to provide opportunities for growth at all levels of the organization, including its leadership team.

Last year, the company welcomed Ed Koharik as chief operating officer to oversee day-to-day airline, maintenance, and logistics operations.

In January, John Chiaffitelli was promoted to Vice President of Network Operations with subsidiary Airborne Global Solutions. Chaiffitelli has been with the corporation since 1984.

The company’s maintenance subsidiary, Airborne Maintenance & Engineering Services, named Todd France as president in February. France joined the ATSG family in 2002.

Debbie Loveless was appointed vice president of human capital for ATSG in April. Loveless has been with the corporation since 1981.

Perhaps the most notable change, however, came in May with the retirement of Joe Hete, who served as president and CEO since 2003, and was with ABX Air for 23 years prior to that, including serving as its president. Hete will continue to serve ATSG as chairman of its board of directors.

Stepping up to lead the organization into the future is Rich Corrado, a veteran of the corporation from its Airborne Express days.

“The importance of working together as a community cannot be understated,” said Corrado. “Whether we’re building a playground, helping local charities, supporting childhood literacy, or fighting a pandemic, we’re all in this together, and together we can overcome any challenge. ATSG is proud to work with you to build a better, brighter future for everyone.”