[5] After graduating from Highline High School in 1979, Tilden enrolled at Pacific Lutheran University, during which time he worked as a dishwasher aboard Amtrak trains to pay tuition.

Following graduation from college, Tilden worked for eight years at the accounting firm PwC (then called Price Waterhouse) in Seattle and Melbourne.

[6] Alaska Airlines hired Tilden in 1991 to the accounting division and three years later named him as corporate controller of the company.

After serving as the company's chief financial officer and executive vice president of finance, Tilden became chief executive officer of Alaska Air Group in 2012, replacing Bill Ayer.

[8][9] Maintaining Alaska's reputation as an industry leader in sustainability, the International Council on Clean Transportation named the airline to be the most fuel-efficient domestic carrier during Tilden's first five years as CEO.

[14][15] Tilden and Alaska Airlines host an annual scholarship celebration with Highline Public Schools students and Russell Wilson.