NEW YORK(Bloomberg) — JetBlue Airways named John Ross as vice president of flight operations to direct the carrier's 1,700 pilots, replacing Scott Green.Ross, 59, who will take over his post immediately, had been vice president of system operations since March 1 and was director of flight safety before that, since joining the company in 2005, JetBlue said in a statement.

Green, who held the position since October, stepped down because of a "family emergency situation" and will serve as a captain flying JetBlue's Airbus A320s, spokeswoman Alison Eschelman said in an interview.

Ross's appointment is the latest in a series of personnel changes after the New York-based carrier posted a $22 million first-quarter loss on storm-related flight disruptions and passenger compensation.

The carrier's board ousted founder David Neeleman as chief executive officer last week, making him non- executive chairman and replacing him with President David Barger.

Ross will report to Russ Chew, who was named chief operating officer in March. Since then, JetBlue also has named a chief for its John F. Kennedy International Airport hub and added a former United Parcel Service Inc. executive to its board.