Unionized Hawaiian Airlines pilots have appointed a former international president of the Air Line Pilots Association as their new representative on the airline's board of directors.

The Hawaiian Airlines Master Executive Council of ALPA selected former Northwest Airlines Capt. Duane Woerth to replace Hawaiian Capt. Eric Nicolai, who submitted his resignation to the MEC last month. Nicolai had served as the pilot representative on the Hawaiian Airlines board of directors since 2006.

Woerth served two terms as president of the world's largest pilots union, from 1999 to 2007, and had previously served two terms as ALPA's first vice-president, the second-highest elected position in the Association. He also has served as chairman of the Northwest Airlines MEC and was the pilot representative on Northwest's Board of Directors for five years.

"In our conversations with Capt. Woerth, we were extremely impressed by his wide knowledge of the industry and our airline in particular," said Hawaiian MEC Chairman Capt. Eric Sampson. "He told us his style as a board member is to be very proactive in expressing the views and concerns of the pilot group, and we agree with that approach."

As ALPA's chief executive and administrative officer, Woerth presided over the meetings of ALPA's governing bodies with a budget in the hundreds of millions of dollars. He was also chief spokesman for the association, frequently testifying before the U.S. Congress and presenting the airline pilot's perspective to the national and international news media and at industry forums with the nation's top airline CEOs.

"The Hawaiian pilots are very fortunate to have such an outstanding individual with wide-ranging experience, influence, and political savvy joining their team, especially at such a crucial time in their negotiations," said Capt. John Prater, ALPA's president. "Capt. Woerth's resume commands respect, and he is widely regarded both within the industry and in government as well."

Under the terms of their respective labor contracts, ALPA, the Association of Flight Attendants and the International Association of Machinists have seats on the Hawaiian Airlines board. These voting directors serve at the pleasure of their respective union leadership and participate in most of the Hawaiian Airlines board's decision-making.