Michael Coffman has been named chief operating officer of Aeko Kula Inc., the newly formed company that will take over cargo operations from Aloha Airlines.

Coffman had served as senior vice president of airline operations at Aloha and was responsible for its air cargo, maintenance, passenger operations and contract services. Before joining Aloha, Coffman was an executive with Federal Express Corp.

Aeko Kula is a subsidiary of Saltchuk Resources Inc., which is the parent company of Young Brothers. Saltchuk and Aloha's chief lender, GMAC Commercial Finance LLC, reached an agreement last week in bankruptcy court for the Seattle-based Saltchuk to acquire Aloha Cargo for $10.5 million.

Aloha shut down its passenger operations March 31 and ended its cargo service April 28.