Chief operation officer and president Ben Minicucci, Alaska Airlines, is taking over as CEO of Virgin America after the Alaska Air Group’s acquisition of the carrier in a deal valued at $4 billion. The Seattle Times reported Virgin America’s senior vice president and chief financial officer Peter Hunt will temporarily act as Virgin’s president. He will retain that role until the two airlines obtain a single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration sometime in 2018. The acquisition was announced in April, but won’t be completed until the fourth quarter of this year. “With our expanded network and strong presence in California, we’ll offer customers more attractive flight options for nonstop travel,” said Brad Tilden, chairman, Alaska Air Group, in a statement after the acquisition. “We look forward to bringing together two incredible groups of employees to build on the successes they have achieved as standalone companies to make us an even stronger competitor nationally.” When the merger is complete, Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan will incorporate Virgin America’s Elevate members. The company’s headquarters will remain in Seattle.