SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - American Eagle today named Gary Ellmer, 49, as president of its Executive Airlines unit based in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Current president, Jacques Vachon, is returning to the company’s headquarters in Texas to participate in a number of strategic projects.

“We have been fortunate to have Jacques’ leadership at Executive,” said Peter Bowler, American Eagle’s president. “We’re looking forward to his assistance again at headquarters.

“I am very pleased to have an experienced aviation executive like Gary Ellmer available to take over the leadership of Executive and its terrific employees,” Bowler said. “Gary and his team will continue the focus on ensuring we remain the number one choice of business and leisure travelers throughout the Caribbean.”

Ellmer joined American Eagle in 1999 when the airline completed the acquisition of Business Express Airlines, where he had served as president and chief operating officer. He will be transitioning to his new San Juan post from his current position as regional vice president for the northeast. In that role, he had responsibility for large operations in Boston, New York and Raleigh-Durham, N.C. His previous aviation experience includes positions of increasing responsibility at regional carriers around the United States. He is a trained airframe and power plant (A&P) mechanic and has served as a flight engineer.

American Eagle serves San Juan with 68 daily flights to 23 destinations throughout the Caribbean and provides convenient connections to American Airlines flights around the world.

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