Salisbury-based Piedmont Airlines announced that its current President, Eric Morgan, will also become Chief Executive Officer of the wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines Group.

Morgan will succeed the current CEO, Capt. Lyle Hogg, will be retiring at the end of the year.

“After nearly four decades in the aviation industry, Lyle has built a solid foundation for his successor, Eric Morgan, to broaden Piedmont’s mission of Caring, Compliance and Communication,” said Devon May, American’s Senior Vice President of Finance and American Eagle.

“Both Lyle and Eric have done a phenomenal job leading and growing the Piedmont team through every challenge and every opportunity, and through their leadership we can anticipate this transition to be just as seamless,” May said.

Hogg joined Piedmont in 2015, after 31 years of flying and managing the flight operations for US Airways. He played a key role in the merger of American Airlines and US Airways. During his tenure, Hogg was instrumental in the exponential growth of Piedmont’s ground handling operation and oversaw Piedmont’s fleet transition from the deHavilland Dash 8 aircraft to the 50-seat Embraer 145 regional jet. His leadership has allowed Piedmont to maintain its reputation for running an excellent operation while maintaining competitive costs that have positioned the carrier to be a valued regional partner for American Airlines.

Morgan began his airline career as a part-time customer service agent at Greenbrier Valley Airport in West Virginia working for the original Piedmont Airlines. He has more than 40 years of airline experience and has worked, managed and taught in numerous roles during his career in the airline industry. Prior to being promoted to President earlier this summer, he led the Piedmont Ground Handling team since 1999, embracing the role of a servant leader through times of expansion and a global pandemic.

Under Morgan’s leadership, Piedmont has been able to secure new ground handling opportunities and was awarded the contract for training all regional ground handling team members in the American Airlines system in 2016. Starting in January, Morgan will lead all aspects of Piedmont’s day-to-day operation in his newly expanded role.

“Eric has certainly earned this position, and is well equipped for his new role,” said Hogg. “The Piedmont family is looking forward to his continued contributions. In times of industry and financial crisis, Eric has a proven track record of effective leadership. He has put together a superb leadership team that sets up Piedmont for a successful future.”

Piedmont Airlines provides service both on the ground and in the air across the United States. Every day, nearly 9,000 aviation professionals foster a mission of caring, compliance and communication on and off the airfield.

Piedmont is headquartered in Salisbury and operates a fleet of Embraer 145 regional jets.