Name: John C. Buckingham
Age: 47
Position: Staff vice president, safety, Aloha Airgroup
First job: Lifeguard
Favorite pastime: Surfing, jogging

"My position is to heighten awareness (in safety) and to seek out hazards," Buckingham said. He will form an Aviation Safety Council this year to include pilots, in-flight attendants, mechanics, and ramp and customer service agents.

He joined Aloha Airlines last year as manager of pilot training and helped develop the airlines' "advanced qualification program" for pilots. The program tailored training to tropical weather conditions.

Buckingham served more than 21 years in the Marine Corps as a pilot. He came to Hawaii in 1984.

He has developed aviation policies for more than 600 aircraft of various types, and directed operations of a medium-sized military airport and a small harbor.