By Michele Kayal
Advertiser Staff Writer
Hawaiian Airlines is expected to name industry veteran Christine Deister as its new chief financial officer today.
Deister comes to Hawaiian after more than 30 years with St. Louis-based Trans World Airlines, where she most recently served as treasurer and senior vice president for finance. Hawaiian spokesman Keoni Wagner confirmed that Deister starts at the airline today.
Deister will take over the position from William Loftus, who was appointed interim CFO in July after the departure of John Garibaldi.
Garibaldi left to pursue other professional opportunities, company executives said at the time. At least two other members of Garibaldi’s financial team also left the airline.
One of Deister’s mandates at TWA was to deal with acquisitions.
"That was part of a long list of responsibilities she had," Wagner said.
TWA filed for bankruptcy in January. AMR Corp., the parent company of American Airlines, is trying to buy the carrier.
Hawaiian Airlines has been financially active over the past year. Last spring, Smith Management Co., the New York investment firm that is Hawaiian’s major shareholder, began considering the potentials for a sale. An investment group based in Washington, D.C., explored a possible deal, but a sale never materialized.
Paul Casey, Hawaiian vice chairman and chief executive officer, has said selling the airline is not a priority.
In March, Hawaiian launched a stock buyback of up to 10 million shares, or about 23 percent of its stock.
Michele Kayal can be reached by phone at 525-8024, or by email at mkayal@honoluluadvertiser.com
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