GBTA Names Hilfman As Interim Executive Director

Dave Hilfman has been named the interim Executive Director of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA)

Hilfman, who retired from United Airlines as its senior vice president of worldwide sales in 2018, will step into the interim role effective immediately.

He is well known to GBTA members, sponsors and leaders as a tireless advocate for business travel, and was honoured in 2017 with GBTA’s ICON Award, which recognizes leaders whose contributions further advance the corporate travel industry.

Bhart Sarin, president of the GBTA Board, said of the appointment: “Dave Hilfman is exactly what our industry needs at this moment. Dave’s passion for business travel and for GBTA are matched only by his integrity, positive nature and way with people. We are thrilled that Dave has agreed to step up and lead the association forward and we cannot wait to get started.”

Of his appointment, Hilfman said: “As someone who built a four-decade career in business travel and who believes with all his heart in the mission of GBTA, its people and its partners, this was an opportunity I could hardly refuse.”

He continued: “When you see what the travel industry is up against right now – both in terms of a worldwide pandemic and a global economic slowdown – this is a pivotal moment for all of us and for GBTA.”

And he concluded: “I’ve never shied away from a challenge and I’m looking forward to helping my many, many dear friends and colleagues meet these challenges with creativity, collaboration and commitment.”

Go to www.gbta.org for more.