ATSG Announces Three New Leaders

WILMINGTON, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 16, 2026--

Air Transport Services Group, Inc. (ATSG) today announced that Mike Hough has joined the company as Group President Airlines & Services, Tim Schulze has joined the company as Chief Risk & Corporate Development Officer, and Doug Belding has joined as Vice President, Enterprise Performance and Operating Systems, further strengthening ATSG’s executive leadership team.

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“We are extremely pleased to have leaders of the caliber of Mike, Tim, and Doug joining ATSG,” said ATSG President and CEO Greg Mays. “Mike’s proven track record in driving operational discipline, delivering financial performance, and building commercial enterprises; Tim’s depth of experience and keen strategic perspective; and Doug’s expertise in transformation and operational excellence are exactly what ATSG needs as we continue to execute our long-term growth strategy.”

As Group President Airlines & Services, Hough will oversee ATSG’s airline operating companies and aviation services businesses as a single integrated operating group with overall accountability for all aspects of their collective performance including profitable growth. This new position will enhance operational excellence, strengthen financial accountability, and leverage the full potential of these critical business units, which form the operational backbone of ATSG. Hough joins ATSG from GAT Airline Ground Support where he served as CEO, leading the business through a period of aggressive growth from 2018 to 2026. He brings more than 25 years of leadership experience building, scaling, and transforming complex organizations in highly regulated industries. He has additionally held executive positions at ResCare and Air Serv Corporation and earlier in his career held leadership roles at Northwest, ATA, Skyway, and United Express airlines.

“I am thrilled to join ATSG – a dynamic, evolving organization – where I can help unlock the potential of these strong business units to drive even greater value and growth,” Hough said.

As Chief Risk & Corporate Development Officer, Schulze will spearhead ATSG's efforts to evaluate and build new business opportunities across the enterprise while driving enterprise risk management, capital allocation discipline, insurance and risk financing optimization, M&A and strategic development support, and governance and enterprise standards. Schulze, who has been serving as an external advisor to ATSG since January, is a seasoned executive with 25 years of experience at the intersection of enterprise risk, corporate strategy, business development, investment management, and insurance. He has a proven track record of helping organizations translate complex business problems into actionable frameworks and solve mission-critical issues. He most recently served as Chief Financial Officer for BidWizer, and before that spent 17 years in a variety of roles at Barings LLC, including serving as the company’s Chief Risk Officer and Head of Risk Management.

“I'm excited to officially join ATSG as the company enters its next chapter,” said Schulze. “Having spent several months as an advisor, I have seen firsthand the strength of the company’s leadership and depth of talent across the organization. I look forward to continuing to partner with this team to unlock the opportunities ahead.”

As Vice President, Enterprise Performance and Operating Systems, Belding will lead ATSG’s value creation efforts and transformation initiatives. He will drive improvements in enterprise systems, processes, and management disciplines that enable operating leaders to manage performance with greater clarity, consistency, and accountability. Belding joins ATSG from FedEx, where he held leadership roles focused on business transformation and operational excellence over the past 11 years.

“ATSG has a strong foundation and a bright future ahead,” Belding said. “I look forward to partnering with teams across the enterprise to support continued growth and long-term success.”

About Air Transport Services Group

Air Transport Services Group (ATSG) is a leading provider of aircraft leasing, air transportation, and aviation support solutions. As an integrated aviation enterprise, ATSG combines leasing, cargo and passenger airline operations, aircraft maintenance, and support services to deliver flexible, end-to-end solutions for customers worldwide. ATSG supports a diverse fleet that includes Boeing 767, Airbus A321, and Airbus A330 freighter aircraft, as well as Boeing 777 and 767 passenger aircraft supporting global ACMI and charter operations. ATSG subsidiaries include ABX Air, Inc.; Airborne Maintenance & Engineering Services, Inc.; Air Transport International, Inc.; Cargo Aircraft Management, Inc.; and Omni Air International, LLC. Learn more at atsginc.com.

Doug Belding has joined ATSG as Vice President, Enterprise Performance and Operating Systems.

Tim Schulze has joined ATSG as Chief Risk & Corporate Development Officer.

Mike Hough has joined ATSG as Group President Airlines & Services.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Dr. Nicole Saphier, President Donald Trump's third nominee to serve as surgeon general, will face lawmakers at her confirmation hearing Wednesday in the latest attempt to fill the post known as the nation's doctor.

Saphier, a radiologist and former Fox News Channel contributor, is Trump's newest pick after entrepreneur and wellness influencer Dr. Casey Means saw her path forward stall in the Senate over her background and vaccine views. Trump withdrew his first nominee, Fox News medical contributor Janette Nesheiwat, after questions arose about her academic credentials. The position has been vacant throughout Trump's second term.

Saphier will face questions from the Senate health committee for a position that carries limited policymaking power but a loud megaphone as the nation's top communicator with Americans on public health issues.

While senators may scrutinize her credentials and background, Saphier will also be in the difficult position of navigating Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s more contentious policies, including his efforts to scale back vaccine guidance at a time when the U.S. is enduring its worst year for measles in decades. Lawmakers of both parties have criticized Kennedy's stances and are likely to grill Saphier over whether she'll more fiercely advocate vaccination if confirmed.

Saphier is director of breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth, according to her profile on the New York-based institution’s website. She has a doctor of medicine degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Barbados along with fellowships at the Mayo Clinic, the profile said.

Like Means, who is a close Kennedy ally, Saphier has questioned whether every child needs to get the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, a longtime recommendation that the Trump administration has been trying to weaken. Saphier has, however, disagreed with Trump and Kennedy on some issues, telling The Associated Press last fall that Trump's cautions to pregnant women who take Tylenol were oversimplistic and “patronizing.”

Her latest ethics filing, dated Sept. 7, shows holdings with various healthcare and insurance firms, as well as processed food companies, like Coca-Cola, Yum Brands, the Hershey Co. and cigarette maker Philip Morris.

Before entering politics and throughout his tenure at the health department, Kennedy has criticized big pharmaceutical companies and insurance firms for alleged corruption and decried ultraprocessed foods as contributing to a nationwide chronic disease crisis.

Additionally, Saphier owns DropRx, a firm that produces controversial, unregulated tinctures — concentrated liquid extracts promoting focus and calm — that contain ingredients, including kava kava root, described by the FDA as potentially causing severe liver injury.

Her filing says she will resign from her position with DropRx and Empower MD LLC, which owns DropRx, if she is confirmed.

She states in the document that she would partially or fully divest from holdings that would present a conflict to serving as surgeon general.

Also facing lawmakers' questions Wednesday is Chris Klomp, chief counselor of the Health and Human Services Department, who has been nominated to serve as Kennedy's second-in-command. Also at the hearing will be Timothy Westlake, chief of staff at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, who is seeking confirmation to be assistant secretary for mental health and substance use.

The U.S. Capitol is seen from the Washington Monument, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)