William "Bill" Swelbar
About William "Bill" Swelbar
William 'Bill' Swelbar is a Director at Hawaiian Airlines and an External Advisor at McKinsey & Company, specializing in transport, logistics, and infrastructure. He has over 40 years of experience in consulting, focusing on airline labor cost restructuring and regulatory issues.
Work at Hawaiian Airlines
William Swelbar has served as Director at Hawaiian Airlines since 2005. In this role, he has contributed to the strategic direction and operational efficiency of the airline. His extensive experience in the aviation sector supports his responsibilities, which include overseeing various aspects of airline management and development. Swelbar's long tenure at Hawaiian Airlines reflects his commitment to the organization and the airline industry.
Current Role at McKinsey & Company
Since 2021, William Swelbar has worked as an External Advisor in the Transport, Logistics, and Infrastructure Practice at McKinsey & Company. Based in the Washington DC-Baltimore Area, he provides insights and expertise in areas related to transportation and logistics. His role involves advising clients on strategic initiatives and operational improvements within the transportation sector.
Education and Expertise
William Swelbar holds an MBA in Finance from The George Washington University School of Business, where he studied from 1986 to 1988. He also earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Eastern Michigan University, completing his studies there from 1980 to 1982. His educational background supports his 40-year career in consulting, focusing on airline labor cost restructuring, regulatory issues, communication strategy, and air service development.
Previous Experience in Consulting
Before his current roles, William Swelbar served as Executive Vice President at InterVISTAS Consulting from 2013 to 2017. He also worked as a Research Engineer at the MIT International Center for Air Transportation from 2006 to 2020. His experience in these positions has equipped him with a deep understanding of the aviation industry and its complexities.
Board Membership and Consultancy
William Swelbar serves on the Board of Directors of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. He is also affiliated with the Global Airline Industry Program and the Airline Industry Research Consortium at MIT's International Center for Air Transportation. In addition, he co-founded The Swelbar-Zhong Consultancy at the end of 2020, which specializes in commercial aviation economic analysis.