Air Transport Services Group (ATSG) has expanded its executive leadership team with the appointment of Mike Hough as Group President, Airlines & Services; Tim Schulze as Chief Risk & Corporate Development Officer; and Doug Belding as Vice President, Enterprise Performance and Operating Systems.
The appointments, announced on 16 September 2026, bring additional senior leadership across airline operations, corporate development, enterprise risk management and business transformation as ATSG continues to pursue its long-term growth strategy.
ATSG President and CEO Greg Mays said the three executives bring complementary experience in operational management, financial performance, corporate strategy, risk and transformation.
As Group President, Airlines & Services, Hough will oversee ATSG’s airline operating companies and aviation services businesses as a single integrated operating group. His remit includes overall responsibility for the collective performance and profitable growth of the businesses, with the newly created position intended to strengthen operational coordination and financial accountability.
Hough joins ATSG from GAT Airline Ground Support, where he served as chief executive officer from 2018 to 2026. According to ATSG, he brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in complex and highly regulated industries. His previous executive experience includes roles at ResCare and Air Serv Corporation, while earlier in his career he held leadership positions with Northwest, ATA, Skyway and United Express airlines.
“I am thrilled to join ATSG – a dynamic, evolving organisation – where I can help unlock the potential of these strong business units to drive even greater value and growth,” Hough said.
Schulze, meanwhile, has been appointed Chief Risk & Corporate Development Officer, combining responsibility for strategic growth opportunities with enterprise risk and capital-related functions. His remit includes corporate development, enterprise risk management, capital allocation, insurance and risk financing, mergers and acquisitions support, strategic development and governance.
Schulze had been serving as an external adviser to ATSG since January before formally joining the company. He brings 25 years of experience spanning enterprise risk, corporate strategy, business development, investment management and insurance. He most recently served as chief financial officer at BidWizer and previously spent 17 years at Barings LLC, where he held several leadership positions, including chief risk officer and head of risk management.
“Having spent several months as an advisor, I have seen firsthand the strength of the company’s leadership and depth of talent across the organisation,” Schulze said. “I look forward to continuing to partner with this team to unlock the opportunities ahead.”
Belding has joined ATSG as Vice President, Enterprise Performance and Operating Systems, where he will lead value-creation and transformation initiatives across the organisation. His responsibilities include improving enterprise systems, processes and management practices to support greater consistency, clarity and accountability in operational performance.
Belding joins from FedEx, where he spent 11 years in leadership positions focused on business transformation and operational excellence. His appointment adds a dedicated enterprise-performance function as ATSG works to strengthen management systems and execution across its businesses.
The three appointments come as ATSG continues to develop an integrated approach to its airline and aviation services operations. The company provides aircraft leasing, air transportation and aviation support services, with subsidiaries including ABX Air, Air Transport International, Cargo Aircraft Management, Omni Air International and Airborne Maintenance & Engineering Services. Its current fleet includes Boeing 767, Airbus A321 and Airbus A330 freighters, as well as Boeing 777 and 767 passenger aircraft supporting ACMI and charter operations.
The leadership changes also follow ATSG’s recent move to further develop its Airlines & Services strategy. On 15 September, the company announced that subsidiary ABX Air had entered into a long-term agreement to operate a Boeing 767-300 freighter for Miami-based Global Aviation Link under an ACMI arrangement.
ATSG’s official leadership page now lists Hough, Schulze and Belding in their respective positions, confirming that the appointments have been incorporated into the company’s executive structure.
