Hawaiian Airlines announced the appointment of Federal Aviation Administration official Russell Chew as executive vice president of operations.

Chew, 54, will replace longtime operations chief Norm Davies as the airline's second-highest-ranking executive. Davies is retiring on June 30.

"We are fortunate to have found someone of Russell Chew's capabilities and experience to join Hawaiian Airlines," said Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian's chief executive officer.

"His industry contacts and cross-functional skills will be of tremendous value to us, and we look forward to welcoming him to our company."

Chew currently is the chief operating officer for the FAA's Air Traffic Organization in Washington D.C., a title he's held since 2003. Before that, he worked 17 years at American Airlines, most recently as managing director of system operations control.

Trained as a pilot, Chew has previously flown for American, which he joined in 1985. Between 1978 and 1979, he flew DC-3s in Hawai'i for DHL Island Airways, which was an interisland cargo carrier.

He is a graduate of Stanford University and earned a doctorate's degree from the University of Southern California.

At Hawaiian, Chew will oversee flight operations, maintenance and engineering, customer services and cargo sales. He also will be in charge of safety and security and will serve as the chief liaison with federal agencies such as the FAA.

Reach Rick Daysog at rdaysog@honoluluadvertiser.com.