Prof. Ahmet Bolat

Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee

Born in Konya in 1959, Prof. Ahmet Bolat graduated from Istanbul Technical University in 1981 as an Industrial Engineer. In 1984, he graduated from M.Sc. Operations Research program at Stanford University and in 1988, he obtained his Ph.D. in Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan.

Prof. Bolat started his career in 1981 as a Design and Production Engineer at Yıldız Kalıp Şirketi. Between 1985 and 1988, he held a various of roles at the University of Michigan including as teaching assistant and research assistant. From 1988 to 2005, he worked as assistant professor, associate professor and professor at Industrial Engineering Department of King Saud University, Riyadh.

He was assigned as Senior Vice President of Investment Management at Turkish Airlines Inc. in 2005 and served as Chief Investment and Technology Officer between 2012 and 2022. During his tenure, he managed strategic growth plan of Turkish Airlines and led the team involved in the supply of necessary aircraft to the Turkish Airlines fleet. Being also responsible for International Relations & Alliances, Prof. Bolat has managed Government Affairs issues & commercial agreements with airline partners, ensuring partnership & network development with enhanced bilateral relations. He also led the feasibility study of Alliance selection project for Turkish Airlines.

In 2022, Prof. Ahmet Bolat was appointed as the Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines.

Şekib Avdagiç

Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, Independent Member of the Board of Directors

Şekib Avdagiç was born in 1959 in Zenica (Bosnia and Herzegovina). He started his primary education in Cologne (Germany) and continued his schooling in Istanbul. He graduated from Istanbul Technical University, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in 1982 and completed the Istanbul University Business Administration Programme with honours in 1988.

He serves as Chairman of the Board and as a manager in companies operating in the automotive supply industry. Mr. Avdagiç speaks English and Bosnian. He is married and has two children.

In April 2018, Şekib Avdagiç was elected as the President of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ICOC) Executive Board. As of May 31, 2023, he has been serving as the Vice President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye. 

Since September 2019, he serves as the Vice President of the Danube Chambers of Commerce Federation (DCCF). As of January 2022, he serves as an Independent Member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines.  On July 11, 2023, he took over the duty of the Chairman of the Services Exporters’ Association.

Mr. Avdagiç was one of the 12 founder members of The Independent Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association and took charge as the Association’s Vice President until 2000. 

In 1995 he was elected as a Member of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ICOC) Assembly and between 2005-2009 he served as the Member of the ICOC Executive Board. From 2009 to 2013 he served as the Vice President of the ICOC Executive Board. He has been elected as the President of the ICOC Assembly in May 2013 and held this position until 2018. 

Between 2009 and 2011, Mr. Avdagiç served as the President of the Executive Council of the Istanbul 2010 - European Capital of Culture Agency. From 2013 until 2019 he served as the Chairman of the Turkish Composites Manufacturers Association.

In addition to these duties, Mr. Avdagiç serves as the Chairman of The Commercialization Center of Istanbul, The Istanbul Chamber of Commerce Education and Social Services Foundation, The Tourism Development and Education Foundation, The Istanbul Convention & Visitors Bureau (ICVB) and The Istanbul World Trade Center. He is also the Vice President of the Board of Technopark Istanbul and Board Member of The Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye, The Istanbul Development Agency and The Association of Automotive Parts and Components Manufacturers. Mr. Avdagiç also serves as the Member of the Board of Trustees of The International University of Sarajevo, The Prof. Fuat Sezgin Research Foundation for the History of Science in Islam and The Istanbul Technical University Development Foundation. He is also Member of the Advisory Board of Istanbul Technical University as well as Commission Member of the Council of Higher Education University - Industry Collaboration.

Bilal Ekşi

Member of the Board of Directors / CEO

Bilal Ekşi graduated from Yıldız Technical University, the Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering in 1989. Starting his career in 1989, Mr. Ekşi worked as an Electronics and Communications Engineer at Turkish State Railways and thereafter, he was assigned to the position of Workshop Manager at Istanbul Ulasim A.S., and he played an active role in realization of significant transport projects. 

As the Head of Overhaul Workshops at Turkish Airlines Inc., Mr. Ekşi carried out the duty of maintenance of aircraft engines, landing gears and all components between 2003 and 2005. In 2005, he has been assigned as the Chief Ground Operations Officer at Turkish Airlines Inc. Mr. EKŞİ accomplished significant projects, particularly in improvement of the on-time departure performance during his tenure.

Having served as the Chief Production Officer at Turkish Technic in 2008 and 2009; and as the General Manager of Cyprus Turkish Airlines as part of the reorganization of Cyprus Turkish Airlines in 2010; and as the Executive Vice President at "Turkish Engine Center (TEC)", established by the Joint Venture of Pratt Whitney, an American engine manufacturer, and Turkish Technic Inc. between 2010 – 2011; Mr. Ekşi was assigned as the Director General of Civil Aviation in April 2011. During his tenure as the Director General of Civil Aviation, Türkiye has been reelected as a member of Council of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) 66 years later its pervious membership and has become one of the 36 members in ICAO’s decision-making platform.

On 21st of October, 2016, he was assigned as the CEO and continues his duty as the CEO and Member of the Board.

Assoc. Prof. Murat Şeker

Member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee / Chief Financial Officer

Dr. Murat Şeker earned his undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering from Marmara University, Türkiye, in 2000, followed by a Master's Degree in Economics from Sabancı University, Türkiye, in 2002. Then, he earned a PhD in Economics from University of Minnesota, USA in 2008.

Dr. Şeker worked as an Economist at Financial and Private Sector Development Vice Presidency of World Bank, USA between 2008 and 2013. During his tenure at the World Bank, he participated in many operational projects and was responsible for production of policy reports and research publications on innovation, entrepreneurship, international trade, and growth in developing countries.

Between 2013 and 2016, Dr. Şeker worked at Ziraat Bank as Senior Vice President of Financial Institutions and Investor Relations Department where he was responsible for international funding; managing the relationship with all financial institutions and investors. During this period, Dr. Şeker also served as Board Member of Ziraat Investment, Ziraat Private Pension and Ziraat Insurance subsidiaries. 

In July 2016, Dr. Şeker was assigned as the Chief Financial Officer of Turkish Airlines. In Turkish Airlines, he is responsible from financing, treasury operations, accounting, procurement and investor relations. In March 2021, he was additionally appointed as a Member of the Board and the Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines. Dr. Şeker also serves as a Board Member of Turkish Technic and SunExpress subsidiaries.

Between 2015 and 2018, Dr. Şeker lectured as part-time professor at Boğaziçi University, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences and received Associate Professorship title in October 2018.

Dr. Melih Şükrü Ecertaş

Independent Member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee

Born in İnegöl, Bursa in 1987, Mr. Ecertaş graduated from Kartal Anatolian Imam-Hatip high school in 2004. He studied Business Administration at Beykent University and graduated as a valedictorian in 2009.

After his Bachelor’s Degree, granted with Fulbright scholarship, Mr. Ecertaş took his Master’s Degree at Emerson College in Boston, United States in Marketing Communications department. Following his research assistant position at MIT/Sloan School of Management, he completed his PhD degree at Gebze Technical University in Management and Organization. Mr. Ecertaş worked in the field of finance in various companies in Türkiye and currently continues his academic studies as an Assistant Professor in Ibn Haldun University.

He served as the Corporate Development Manager and Member of the Board of Directors at Çilek Furniture.

He is working as Management Consultant and worked in many domestic and international organizations in “Human Resources System Design, Performance Management Systems, Employee Rewarding Models, Strategic Planning, Talent Management, HR Digital Transformation and other Organizational Development” projects.

Mr. Ecertaş, who has been involved in civil society and youth studies since secondary education, has undertaken important responsibilities at various levels from the Provincial Organization to the Headquarters in the AK Party Youth Branches in 2012-2018. He still continues to volunteer in various youth-related NGOs.

Mr. Ecertaş has an excellent command of English and a good command of German and Arabic. He is married and has three children.

Ramazan Sarı

Member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee / Senior Vice President General Aviation (VIP Aircraft) Operations

Ramazan Sarı graduated from Istanbul Technical University, Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Department of Aeronautical Engineering in 1987. He started his pilot career as a pilot candidate at Turkish Airlines in 1988. He started his piloting career with DC9 aircraft type and continued as a second pilot, captain pilot, instructor captain pilot and check pilot in RJ100, B737, A310, A320, A330, A340 and A350 aircraft types.                                                                                  
In addition to his active pilot career, Ramazan Sarı has also served in various management positions within Turkish Airlines. Between 2018 and 2022, he served as Senior Vice President Flight Operations (Chief Pilot) at Turkish Airlines. In February 2022, Ramazan Sarı was appointed as the Senior Vice President General Aviation (VIP Aircraft) Operations at Turkish Airlines, a position he still holds. As of July 2023, he was also appointed as a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines.
 

Prof. Mecit Eş

Member of the Board of Directors

Prof. Mecit Eş was born in Samsun in 1953 and received his undergraduate degree from Istanbul University, School of Economics in 1974. After working in the public sector, he continued his academic career and received his Ph.D. in 1985. Dr. Mecit Eş became Associate Professor in 1990 and Professor in 1996. Having worked in the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences at Dumlupınar University in the field of Public Finance between 1992 and 2012, Dr. Eş has since been Professor of the Academy of Commercial Sciences at Istanbul Commerce University. During his career, he has published many books and articles. Dr. Eş is a father of three children.

Dr. Hüseyin Keskin

Member of the Board of Directors

Hüseyin Keskin was born in Istanbul in 1973.

After graduating from Pertevniyal High School, he completed his undergraduate education in the Mathematics Department at Bogazici University. He pursued his master's degree in the Business Administration Department at Marmara University and then completed his doctoral studies in the field of business administration.

He has held various responsibilities in many important organizations in the aviation sector and has been involved in significant projects.

He served as the Ground Services President at Turkish Airlines and as the Founding General Manager of TGS, the largest ground handling company in Turkey. He worked as the Secretary General of Istanbul Sea Buses (IDO). He held various senior positions at TAV Airports.

As the CEO of IGA Airport Operation Inc., he contributed to the Istanbul Airport project, which carried our country's aviation industry to the first places in the world.

He also served as the Chairman of the Board of State Airports Authority and General Manager from 2019 to 2024.

Keskin, who is a Member of the Board of Directors at ACI Europe, the umbrella organization of airport operators in Europe, has been appointed as a Member of the Board of Directors of Turkish Airlines Inc. as of 25 July 2023.

Keskin, who speaks English fluently, is married and has two children.

Assoc. Prof. Fatmanur Altun

Independent Member of the Board of Directors

Assoc. Prof. Fatmanur Altun completed her undergraduate degree in Sociology Department at İstanbul University. She obtained her Master’s Degree from Marmara University in 2014 with the thesis titled "The Role of Discourse of Greater Middle East Project in Formation of Post-2000 Turkish Nationalism”. She received her Ph.D. from the same university in 2018 with her thesis titled “The ’Social Benefit’ Approach of Secular and Faith-Based Non-Governmental Organizations in Türkiye: Case Studies of the Association for Supporting Contemporary Life and Turkish Youth and Education Service Foundation”. In 2022, she was given the title of Associate Professor. Mrs. Altun continued her academic studies as a teaching assistant at Marmara University between 2015 and 2021. She gave lectures on Social Theory, History of Sociology, and Urban Sociology and Cultural Studies.
Her main research areas are social theory, anthropology, philosophy, social psychology, women studies, new media and digitalization, globalization, intellectual history, Islamophobia, social movements, communication, urban sociology, sociology of immigration, family, and justice. Currently being a Member of the Board of Marmara University Women’s Studies Application and Research Center in Economic and Social Fields, Mrs. Altun served as chairperson and member of the board in numerous reputable organizations of the private sector and civil society.
She is proficient in English and has good command of Arabic and Ottoman Turkish. Mrs. Altun has been an independent member of the board of directors at Turkish Airlines since 2018. She is married and has four children.