The runner-up Ethiopian "Person of the Year" 2002 EC Girma Wake, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ethiopian Airlines and President of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), joined the airline in 1965 and has become one of the most accomplished executives in the African continent.

After 27 years with Ethiopian Airlines, Girma left the country when the new government of Meles Zenawi was established. He took various positions in the middle east and Europe for over a decade before coming back to Ethiopian Airlines in 2004. "That was my roots and I had to come back to my roots" he said after returning to Ethiopia. Due to his expertise and many years of experience in the aviation industry, Girma was appointed as the CEO of the biggest company in Ethiopia and one of the symbols of pride for Ethiopians for over half a century.

Under his leadership, Ethiopian Airlines (EAL) has become one of the best airlines in the world and underwent massive modernization. A workaholic, humble and devoted person, employees say Girma can often be found in his office overnight and even during the weekend. When journalists once asked him why he works long hours, "this airlines is my home, i have nowhere to go" Girma said. Despite hard times for the global aviation industry, his airlines has remained strong by increasing destinations, revenue and passengers. Between 2006 and 2007, Ethiopian Airlines was given three awards from the African Times/USA, the African Aviation Journal and the Government of Ghana. It was awarded for its exceptional financial performance, passenger growth, route network expansion, fleet modernization, in-flight service and overall customer care. Despite a recent accident, EAL is considered the safest airlines in Africa and one of the safest in the world. The Ethiopian Aviation Academy is also becoming the leading aviation academy in Africa. Despite being a government owned company, EAL's day to day operation has been freed and it is working with the German IT company SAP as well as the largest professional service firm in the world and one of the "The Big Four" audit firm Ernst & Young.

In recent years, Ethiopian Airlines has undergone massive expansion and it currently serves 59 International and 17 Domestic destinations. EAL flies to more African destinations than any other airlines in the world. EAL now has the only daily east-west flight across the African continent and the "Air Bridge" between Africa and the world to help the capital Addis Ababa become one of the main diplomatic centers of the world. With a new campaign "FLY GREENER," the company has recently ordered environmentally friendly aircrafts. Ethiopian Airlines was Africa’s launch carrier for the new Boeing 787 and it will be the first carrier to operate the fuel-efficient Dreamliner-B787 in Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

For the country's economic development, Ethiopian Airlines has played a major role in the growth of Ethiopia's tourism sector. It has also assisted with import and export transportation for various economic sectors with its growing cargo business, particularly to compensate for Ethiopia becoming a land-locked country after the secession of the Eritrean province.

EAL has won the Brussels Airport Company Award, the Corporate Achievement Award, the 2008 "Best Airline in Africa Award" as well as the Airline of the Year 2009 and the NEPAD Transport Infrastructure Excellence Awards. Ethiopian Airlines also exceeded its "Vision 2010" operating revenue and profit targets.

With his personal success as well as the transformation of the only billion dollar company in Ethiopia, Girma has become one of the main sources of inspiration for educated Diaspora Ethiopians who want to return and give back to their native country.

According to Jimma Times (JT) sources, Girma will be retiring soon in the next few weeks. Girma will be leaving the EAL as the fastest growing carrier in the African continent. Inside sources have confirmed to JT that Girma has nearly secured Ethiopian Airlines's entrance into the prestigious STAR ALLIANCE, the world's first and largest airline alliance.

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• Who will become Ethiopia's "Person of the Year" 2002 (ETH Calendar)?