Our Namesake

Who is William A. Franke?

William “Bill” Franke is managing partner of Indigo Partners LLC, a global private equity firm that specializes in the aviation industry. He oversees several airlines, including Frontier Airlines in the U.S., Wizz Air in Hungary, JetSMART in Chile and Argentina, and Volaris in Mexico. He also serves as chair of APiJET, an aviation software platform, and CleanJoule, a sustainable aviation fuel company.

Image

Born in Texas and raised in Latin America, Mr. Franke’s multicultural upbringing shaped his global outlook. After earning a BA in 1959 and an LLB in 1961 from Stanford University, he began his career practicing law in Spokane, Washington. In 1970, Mr. Franke transitioned to the corporate world as CEO of Southwest Forest Industries, a publicly traded Fortune 500 company, where he served until 1987. This marked the beginning of a career characterized by transformative leadership across industries, including:

• Chief Executive Officer of an Industrial Fortune 500 forest products company
• Chair of a large regional bank
• Chair of a large U.S. convenience store company
• Chief Executive Officer of America West Airlines (now integrated into American Airlines)

Mr. Franke served as the founding Chair of Airplanes Group, Ltd., a $5 billion aircraft finance vehicle created from the aircraft portfolio of GPA Group plc., the Irish aircraft leasing company. Mr. Franke was the founding Chair of Tiger Airways (Singapore), served as Chair of Spirit Airlines (U.S.), serves as Chair of Wizz Air (Hungary), Frontier Airlines (U.S.), JetSMART Airlines (Chile and Argentina), and APiJET an airline flight management software company. He was a director on the board of Volaris (Mexico) and remains as an advisor to both Volaris and Cebu Pacific Airlines (Philippines). He has served on and chaired several public company boards of directors in the U.S., Europe, and Latin America.

The Franke Family Philanthropy and Civic Engagement

Image

Mr. Franke’s contributions extend beyond the boardroom. A committed philanthropist, he and his family have made substantial investments in education and healthcare. Notable beneficiaries include Northern Arizona University, the University of Montana, the University of Arizona, Stanford University and Law School, the Mayo Clinic Medical School in Arizona, and the Barrow Neurological Institute. These contributions reflect his enduring belief in the transformative power of education and medical innovation.

Mr. Franke has been active in the charitable and civic community and has in the past served, by way of example, as chairman of Phoenix 40, member of the International Board of Barrow Neurological Institute, chairman of COMPAS (arts funding), member of the Dean’s Council, Arizona State University business college, and the Dean’s Circle, Stanford Law School.

The W.A. Franke Honors College Gift Supports:

• W.A. Franke Endowed Scholarship Fund
• W. A. Franke Endowed Housing Award to defray the cost of living in the Honors Village
• W.A. Franke Undergraduate Global Fellowship Fund to support Franke Honors College students who are enrolled in eligible study abroad programs
• W. A. Franke Honors College Endowed Academy of Scholars for Teaching Excellence Fund provides awards to faculty who instruct Honors College students
• W.A. Franke Endowed Dean’s Chair

Mr. Franke’s visionary leadership and enduring philanthropy continue to inspire innovation and excellence at the W.A. Franke Honors College.