Former airline CEO gunned down
A well-known former airline boss and business leader is being mourned after being shot dead in Memphis.
Philip Trenary was the CEO of Pinnacle Airlines and was currently serving as president and CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber.
He was apparently approached in a robbery attempt and then shot dead.
Three males, aged 22, 18 and 16 have been arrested and charged with first degree murder in perpetration of a robbery.
A well liked figure in business circles, Trenary moved to Memphis 20 years ago to run a regional airline that eventually became Pinnacle Airlines, which employed about 7,000 at the time.
Pinnacle later morphed into Endeavor Air.
He left the company in 2011.
Trenary also founded Exec Express Airlines based in Oklahoma in the mid-1980s.
"News of his passing is shocking and tremendously difficult to comprehend. Phil remained a steadfast advocate for the Memphis community and was a well-regarded executive and civic leader across Western Tennessee," the airline said in a statement.
Memphis mayor Jim Strickland twweted: , "Like many of you, I’m shocked at the senseless loss tonight of Phil Trenary, a leader in our community."
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season