Skybus Airlines appoints Mike Hodge as CEO

Skybus Airlines has chosen Mike Hodge to succeed Bill Diffenderffer as chief executive officer, effective immediately.

Hodge has served as chief financial officer for Columbus, Ohio-based Skybus since March 2007. Hodge was an airline analyst at Tiger Management, a New York-based hedge fund that invested in Skybus.

"The board has great confidence in the ability of Mike Hodge, along with our president and COO Ken Gile, to lead the company into the next phase of its operations," said C. Robert Kidder, chairman of the Skybus board of directors. "Mike's understanding of the keys to success for Skybus, his strong work ethic and his commitment to Skybus values are among the reasons the board asked Mike to lead Skybus at this crucial phase of our growth."

Skybus shared that Diffenderffer has resigned to resume a book-writing career.