GBTA Announces Board of Directors Change and Welcomes New Appointment

As a member-led organization, GBTA’s volunteer leaders and especially its Board of Directors play a vital role in guiding and advancing the association to serve its members and the industry. As an organization that prioritizes people, GBTA recognizes that this sometimes also brings change.

It is with regret that GBTA announces that Katharine Farrell has resigned from her position on the GBTA Board of Directors, due to a job change. Farrell was elected as an Allied Member-at-Large in 2024.

As outlined in GBTA’s current bylaws (Sections 3.3 and 3.13), if a Board member steps down during their term, the GBTA Board President may appoint a member to fill the vacancy and serve the remainder of that term. Evan Koppel, Director of Sales - Atlantic Region for United Airlines, has been appointed to the Board and will serve out the remainder of Farrell's two-year term until GBTA Board elections take place mid-2026.

Koppel is an active GBTA member and received the next highest number of votes during the 2024 Board elections. He serves on the GBTA U.S. Legislative Advisory Council, has served on the board of the Ohio Valley chapter, was a member of the GBTA Sustainability Committee, is a Global Leadership Professional designee, and a multi-year participant at the annual GBTA Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C.

Rosemary Maloney, GBTA Board President, said, “We would like to express our appreciation to Katharine for her Board service, and we wish her all the best. We would also like to welcome Evan and thank him for stepping in to serve on the Board and contributing to GBTA’s future success.”

Industry Spotlight

GBTA Urges Support for “Securing America’s Fuels (SAF) Act” Among U.S. Policymakers

GBTA applauds yesterday’s introduction of the “Securing America’s Fuels (SAF) Act” in the U.S. House of Representatives which would restore the full value of the credit for Sustainable Aviation Fuel and extends related 45Z tax credits through 2033.

GBTA, as well as the SAF Coalition, sent letters to key U.S. policymakers urging swift, bipartisan passage of the bill which will improve economic growth, provide business certainty for SAF producers and airlines, and lower costs for consumers and businesses travelers over time.

In brief, the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit currently allows SAF bonus credits of up to $1.75 per gallon if prevailing standards are met. However, in July 2025 the SAF bonus credit was eliminated beginning in 2026, reducing the maximum incentive and undermining the economics of new SAF projects.

“Reliable, affordable, and sustainable air travel is essential to our members’ operations, and the future growth of the U.S. economy. GBTA strongly supports the passage of the SAF Act and encourages the House to include complementary measures that streamline SAF certification, improve supply chain logistics, advance research and demonstration programs that lower costs, and accelerate deployment at airports nationwide,” said GBTA CEO Suzanne Neufang.

Read the full GBTA letter here.