Meet the Winning Team

Mr. Mesfin Tasew was appointed as Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines in March 2022.

He joined Ethiopian in 1984 as Associate Engineer and progressed through the ladder and served in supervisorial and managerial positions in the Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering areas. In 1997 and 1999, he was appointed as Director Operations & Technical Systems Support and Chief Information Officer, respectively.

In 2006, he was appointed as Vice President of Maintenance and Engineering. Mr. Mesfin also served as Chief Operating Officer of Ethiopian Airlines from 2010 – 2021, and Chief Executive Officer of ASKY Airlines from April 2021 to March 2022.

Mr. Mesfin also serves as a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Board of Governors.

He holds BSC and MSc Degrees in Electrical Engineering from Addis Ababa University. He also holds Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Open University in the UK.

Mr. Lemma joined Ethiopian on September 06, 1999 as Marketing Agent. He has been serving in various managerial positions including Lead Central Reservation Control Agent, Supervisor Central Reservation Control and Revenue Management, Area Manager Burkina Faso, Malaysia and France. In December 2017, Mr. Lemma was appointed as Director Global Call Center, and A/Managing Director Ethiopian International Services since September 01, 2019.

Currently, he is serving Ethiopian as Group Chief Commercial Officer as of April 2022.

He holds BSC Degree in Civil Engineering from Addis Ababa University, Faculty of Technology, MSC in Geotechnical Engineering from Addis Ababa University, Faculty of Technology and MSC Degree in Integrated Marketing Communication from University of Mississippi.

Mr. Retta joined Ethiopian Airlines in 1994 as a Junior Aircraft Technician after graduating from Ethiopian Aviation University in Avionics Maintenance.

He had served in various technical positions as Aircraft Technician at Ethiopian Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) and as a Technical Instructor at the Ethiopian Aviation University.

In September 2008, He joined the Management Team of Ethiopian and served in different managerial positions including Manager Customer Support, Manager Technical Coordination, Manager Technical Coordination and HR Services, Director Component Maintenance, Director Engine Maintenance, Director MRO Sales and Marketing, Managing Director Ethiopian MRO Services and is currently serving as Chief Operating Officer of Ethiopian Airlines since March 2021.

He also served as a Member of the Management Board of Ethiopian Airlines Group representing the employees of Ethiopian for about 17 years.

Mr. Retta holds Bachelor of Arts Degree in Management from Addis Ababa University and master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the Open University of London (UK).

Mr. Retta is married and a father of two daughters.

Mr. Adamu joined Ethiopian as Senior Accountant in the Revenue Accounting Division in 1996. He has been serving the airline in various managerial streams including Senior Financial Analyst cash and Credit Management, Senior Financial Analyst Insurance, Fuel and Taxes, Manager Insurance, Fuel and Taxes, Manager Financial Analysis and Statistics, Acting Director Management Accounting, Director Treasury and Group Treasurer. He has also served as Director Finance and Strategic Planning at Malawi Airlines.

Currently, he is serving as Group Chief Financial Officer as of November 2023. 

He holds a BA Degree in Accounting from Addis Ababa University, Bachelor of Commerce BCom (Hons) in Financial Management and Magister Commercii (Master of Commerce) in Financial Management Sciences at the University of Pretoria, Certified Accountant with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and member since 2007 and Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Open University (UK).

Mr. Getinet Tadesse Joined Ethiopian as a Jr. Programmer on January 18, 2000. He has served Ethiopian as Manager Systems & Operation, Dir. Operation & Support, Dir Corporate Systems, Head Group IT Services Operation and Acting Group Chief Information Officer.

Currently, he is serving as Group Chief Information Officer as of April 2022.

He is a Graduate of BSC Degree in Electrical Engineering from Addis Ababa University & MBA from Open University (UK).

Mr. Getaneh Adera Nigussie began his career at Ethiopian Airlines in 2008 as a Junior Electrical Engineer. He has been serving the airline in various managerial positions, including Team Leader Facility Management, A/Manager Engineering and Facility Planning, Director Airport Facility, Director Engineering and Facility Maintenance, Director Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, A/Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airports and Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airports.

Currently, he is serving Ethiopian as Managing Director of Ethiopian Airports as of October 2025.

Mr. Getaneh holds a BSc degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Addis Ababa University, Faculty of Technology and MSc degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Nottingham, UK. He has also completed a Leadership Excellence Program at London Business School.

Mr. Teklehaimanot G. Yohannes joined Ethiopian Airlines in 1995 as a marketing clerk officer after graduating from Ethiopian Airlines School of Marketing and Finance. He has been serving the airline in various managerial streams including Junior Transportation Agent, Transportation Agent, Senior Transportation Agent, Associate Instructor (Marketing), Instructor (Marketing), Senior Instructor (Marketing), Manager Airport Services, Brussels, Manager Airport Services, London, Director Addis Ababa Hub Operations, Acting Managing Director Ethiopian Ground Services, Regional Director Sales & Services (Europe & America), Managing Director Addis Ababa Hub Ground Services, and Regional Director Greater China and Mongolia..

Currently, he is serving Ethiopian as MD International Services as of April 2024.

Mr. Teklehaimanot earned MBA in Marketing Management from the UK Open University, MSc in Economic Development Policy and Good Governance from the University of Paris and CERIS in Belgium, BA degree in Economics from Addis Ababa University, BA degree in Business Management from Addis Ababa University, Diploma in Computer Science from Addis Ababa University, and Diploma in Chemistry from Addis Ababa University.

Mr. Dereje Derero is a seasoned aviation executive with over 26 years of experience at Ethiopian Airlines, spanning passenger services, airport operations, quality and safety management, cargo handling, and strategic business leadership.

Since joining Ethiopian Airlines in September 2000, he has held various professional and senior management positions, including Manager of Airport Services in Kinshasa and London Heathrow, Manager of Passenger Services at Addis Ababa Hub, Manager of ADD Hub Quality Management and Safety Management Systems, and Director of ADD Hub Cargo Traffic Handling.

Currently, he serves as Managing Director of Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services, providing strategic and executive leadership in business growth, operational excellence, financial performance, service quality, and global competitiveness.

Mr. Dereje holds a BA in Accounting from Addis Ababa University and an MBA from Jimma University. He also completed the Boeing Leadership Excellence Program and received a certificate from London Business School.

Mr. Daniel Demeke joined Ethiopian Airlines in July 2001 as a Junior Aircraft Technician, after graduating from Ethiopian Aviation Academy. He has been serving in various managerial positions, including Supervisor in Aircraft Maintenance, Manager Scheduled Aircraft Maintenance Hangar, Technical Manager at London Heathrow Airport, and Director Aircraft Base Maintenance.

Currently, Mr. Daniel Demeke is serving as the Managing Director of Ethiopian MRO Services as of October 15, 2024.

He is a graduate of Ethiopian Aviation Academy in Airframe, Powerplant and Avionics Maintenance and type rated on the fleet that Ethiopian Airlines operates. He holds BSC Degree in Electrical Engineering from Addis Ababa University Faculty of Technology, Advanced Diploma in Industrial Chemistry from Bahir Dar University, and Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Brunel University of London. He has also earned a certificate from London Business school on successful completion of Boeing Leadership Excellence Program.

Mr. Ermias Abebe joined Ethiopian Airlines in 2014 as a Staff Attorney. Progressing through the ladder, Mr. Ermias, currently is the Group VP of Legal Counsel and Corporate Secretariat as of November 2023. Mr. Ermias holds LLB Degree from Bahir Dar University & LLM from University of South Africa (UNISA).

Mr. Ermias is married and a father of two daughters.

Mr. Hailemelekot joined Ethiopian on October 14, 1992 as Jr. Marketing Agent and served the Airlines in various positions including Manager Customer Loyalty, Area Manager Saudi Arabia, Director for Service Quality Management, Director for Customer Loyalty and CRM, A/V.P Marketing, MD ET Regional Services, CEO Malawian Airlines, Director for International Airport Services, and Director Ground Handling & Customer Experience.

Currently he is serving Ethiopian as Vice President ETHIOPIAN-Holiday, Digital Sales and Global Customer Interaction Center (GCIC) as of April 2022.

Mr.  Hailemelekot holds a Diploma in Accounting from AAU Commercial College, BA degree in Management and Master Of Business Administration degree from Addis Ababa University.

Mr.  Hailemelekot is married and a father of three children.

Mr. Shimeles joined Ethiopian on April 06, 1998 as School of Marketing & Finance Trainee. He has been serving in various managerial positions including Supervisor Interline & Commercial Agreements, Manager Revenue Accounting, Manger SPA & Code share Agreements, Director Revenue Management, Regional Manager Singapore, Australia & New Zealand, General Manager Nigeria, Director Distribution & Corporate Sales, Regional Director the Americas, Director Passenger Schedules & PRM. 

Currently, he is serving Ethiopian as A/Group Vice President Marketing as of September 2026.

He holds a BA Degree in Economics from Addis Ababa University, MBA from the Open University of UK, and a certificate from London Business School in Leadership Excellence Programme.

Mr. Bekele Bayi ODA joined Ethiopian Airlines in 2008 as Manager Development & Succession Planning.

He has been serving the airline in various managerial positions including Manager Placement & Career Development, Manager, Human Resource Development and Administration Cargo, Manager Human resource & Finance Cargo, Manager Human Resource Finance Ground Services, Manager Human Resource & Finance MRO, Traffic & Sales Manager Kano, Nigeria, Area Manager Switzerland based in Geneva and Group Director Personal Administration.

Currently, he is serving Ethiopian as Group Vice President Human Capital Management as of May 2025.

Mr. Bekele earned B.A. Degree in Management from Unity University, Diploma in Accounting from College of Commerce Addis Ababa University and Diploma in Banking & Finance from Mekelle Business College. .

Mr. Bekele is married and a father of one son and three daughters.

Mr. Laeke Tadesse has begun his career with Ethiopian in 1999 as Junior Applications Analyst. He has been serving the airline in various managerial positions including Manager Galileo System Support, Head Galileo Ethiopia, Director Commercial Systems, Chief Information Officer and CEO Malawian Airlines.

Currently, he is serving Ethiopian as President Ethiopian Aviation University as of April 2025.

He graduated from Addis Ababa University with a B.Sc. Degree in Mathematics. Mr. Laeke is married and a father of two children.

Mr. Mengistu joined Ethiopian in October 1995 as a college trainee. He has served the company in different capacities including Internal Auditor, Senior Internal Auditor, Senior Collection Control Officer, Department Manager Cost Accounting, Manager Corporate Audit, Director Internal Audit, Mgr. HR & Finance-Tchadia Air (on secondment), Director Finance & Strategic Planning-Ceiba Intercontinental (on Secondment), and Acting VP Internal Audit, QMS, SMS, Compliance and Business Sustainability.

Currently, he is serving as VP Internal Audit, QMS, SMS, Compliance and Business Sustainability as of April 2022.

He earned his B.A. and BSc Degrees in Accounting and Information Systems from Addis Ababa University and, Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) certificate from the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), USA.

Mr. Mengistu is married and a father of three children.

Mr. Samson Arega has joined Ethiopian as a college trainee in 2014. He has been serving in various positions including Assistant Marketing officer, Jr Sales Representative, Sr Sales Representative, Team leader Sales Support, A/Manager Passenger Sales Addis Ababa, Area Manager Kuwait, Area Manager Canada, and Regional Director Sales & Services United States of America.

He is currently serving Ethiopian as Group Vice President Customer Experience since May 2024.

He holds a BA Degree in International Trade & Investment Management from Adama Science and Technology University, an MSc Degree in Integrated Marketing Management (IMC) from the University of Mississippi, USA, a Credential of Readiness Diploma from Harvard Business School for Business Analytics, Economics for Managers, & Financial Accounting and a certificate from London Business School in Leadership Excellence Programme.

Mr. Samson is married and a father of three children.

Capt. Yoseph Hailu Joined Ethiopian on March 21,1985, as F/O DHC-6 and served the Airline in various positions including F/E 727-200, F/O 727, F/O 757-767, Capt. DHC-6, Capt./Instructor F-50, Fleet, Capt. B737/ Turbo Pro. A/C Capt. B767/B757, Manager Training and Standards, DVM flight operations training & tech, Capt. B777 and Director Flight Training.

Currently, he is serving as VP Flight Operations as of June 2022.

Capt. Yoseph has a diploma from school of PTS.

Capt. Yoseph is married and a father of three daughters.