---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001558370-24-003851"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "SKYW"
cik: "0000793733"
company_name: "SKYWEST INC"
filed_at: "2024-03-25T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-04T08:52:52.089177+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.5
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.5
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# SkyWest founder Jerry Atkin to retire as Board Chair at 2024 annual meeting; James L. Welch appointed successor

## Summary
- Jerry Atkin, 75, retires as director and Board Chair effective at 2024 Annual Meeting per corporate governance age limit.
- Atkin joined SkyWest in 1974, served as CEO 1975–2015, and Board Chair since 1991.
- Board appoints current Lead Independent Director James L. Welch as new Board Chair effective same date.
- Atkin's retirement not due to any disagreement with the company.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001558370-24-003851
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: SKYW
- cik: 0000793733
- company_name: SKYWEST INC
- filed_at: 2024-03-25T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.5
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.5
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/793733/000155837024003851/0001558370-24-003851-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/793733/000155837024003851/skyw-20240322x8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001558370-24-003851
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001558370-24-003851.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001558370-24-003851.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  James L. Welch was appointed as Board Chair at SKYWEST INC.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Board Chair
  source text: the Board appointed James L. Welch, the Company’s Lead Independent Director, to serve as Board Chair following Mr. Atkin’s retirement, with such appointment to be effective as of the date of the Company’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/793733/000155837024003851/0001558370-24-003851-index.htm
- Executive change
  Jerry Atkin retired as Director and Board Chair at SKYWEST INC.
  - Action: retired
  - Role: Director and Board Chair
  source text: accepted Jerry Atkin’s offer to retire as a director and Board Chair, effective as of the date of the Company’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/793733/000155837024003851/0001558370-24-003851-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.