Kris Kutchera

Kris Kutchera leads Alaska Air Group’s Information Technology Division, a team renowned for its award-winning alaskaair.com/horizonair.com Web sites and industry-leading airport automation processes.

Snapshot

Hometown: Wauwatosa, Wis. First job as a kid: At Barrie’s Custard Stand Comic book character you’d most like to be: Velma Dace Dinkley from “Skooby-Doo” because she’s always on an adventure Favorite vacation spot: Any great beach Favorite food: Mexican or Thai Favorite line from a movie or book: Harold: “You sure have a way with people.” Maude: “Well, they’re my species!” — from “Harold & Maude” Hobbies: Hiking; kayaking; biking; entertaining friends and family Music preference: Blues/rock Sports Blooper: Broke my leg playing softball Favorite Season: Summer — it’s the best time for my hobbies Pets: Cat named Macy Gray

Kutchera, who joined Alaska Airlines in May 2005, has more than 15 years of experience in IT. She began her career at Boeing Computer Services and Capgemini America before moving on to leadership positions at Washington Natural Gas, Fluke and, most recently, at F5 Networks, where she served as vice president of information technology.

Previously at Alaska, Kutchera served as managing director of IT applications, providing computer applications and business intelligence tools to Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air.

Kutchera holds a bachelor of science degree in zoology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She trained and taught as an instructor at Boeing Computer Services, and is currently enrolled in the executive MBA program at the University of Washington.