Russ Elander became vice president of Operations Support for Pinnacle Airlines Corp. in June 2012. He is responsible for System Operation Control centers that manage flight operations and for Ground Operations. Elander joined Pinnacle Airlines Corp. in October 2004 as vice president of Ground Operations.

Prior to joining Pinnacle, he was in senior management positions with Midway Airlines Corp. from 1998 to 2002, serving as vice president, Customer Service Operations. In 1996, he played a key role in the certification and startup of Corporate Airlines, where he remained as the managing director until joining Midway Airlines. From 1987 to 1996, he was employed by American Eagle Airlines where he held leadership positions, including multiple managing director assignments. He began his aviation career at Air Midwest in 1987.