[Update, July 16]: GBTA Announces Hilfman as Executive Director, Not CEO
GBTA Names Dave Hilfman Interim CEO
Industry veteran Dave Hilfman will take the reins of GBTA as
interim CEO, sources independently confirmed to BTN. The fate of current CEO
Scott Solombrino, on administrative leave since June 19, was unclear Tuesday,
and GBTA did not return calls seeking comment.
Hilfman's appointment first was reported Tuesday by The
Company Dime.
Hilfman most recently served as SVP of worldwide sales for
United Airlines, the position he held at the time of his 2018 retirement. He is
a 30-plus-year veteran of the airline industry, beginning in 1981 as a campus
sales representative for Eastern Airlines at the University of South Florida.
He held the SVP worldwide sales role at Continental Airlines from 2004 to 2010
and then the same role at United Airlines after the two airlines merged. In
January, travel technology provider NuTravel appointed him to its board of
directors. He additionally joined the board of midmarket travel management
company Direct Travel. BTN three times has named Hilfman among its annual
"Most Influential Executives" list; GBTA awarded him its Icon award
in 2017.
Hilfman is regarded throughout the industry for his
integrity and inclusiveness. Longtime friend Susan Lichtenstein, now managing
partner at DigiTravel Consulting, described Hilfman in an email as "[the
guy] everyone in the room wants to get close to. He always listens first and
then determines the next steps. He's a great leader [who] removes obstacles in
the path of others, empowers them to grow and learn and celebrates their wins
as if they were his own. Dave is that leader. He leaves every room better than
it was when he walked in."
His extroverted personality, deep industry knowledge and
extensive network may offer the salve to heal relationships with key suppliers
like SAP Concur and travel management heavyweight CWT, both of which penned
strong rebukes of GBTA leadership and board transparency, and withdrew their
financial support as well as volunteer participation in the organization in the
wake of the allegations against Solombrino. Other major suppliers indicated to
BTN that they had communicated with the board and were poised to do the same.
With Hilfman's appointment, however, several have reversed course and will now
continue to support the organization.
GBTA will also bank on Hilfman's leadership qualities to
repair the rifts with volunteer committees that suspended participation
awaiting the outcome of the investigation.
With all the perceived positives that come with Hilfman's
interim appointment, some industry observers are noting its temporary nature.
They said GBTA should use that time—which a source close to the deal said would
be "about six months"—to rebuild its structure, vet current bylaws
and vastly increase transparency into board activities, elections and future
appointments to key positions within the organization.
"From a strategic perspective … Dave has nothing but
admirers, followers and friends, so he's certainly a good pick for the interim,"
said Partnership Travel Consulting founder and CEO Andy Menkes. "But I'd
like to believe [the board will] go through a formal and open process to
identify a permanent replacement. That would start with posting the position on
their job board."
Until then, all eyes will be on Hilfman to turn GBTA's
fortunes around, with an emphasis on inclusion and transparency that properly
represents the managed travel industry.
"Delta is an inclusive and diverse organization and we
believe in treating others with dignity and respect and expect our partners to
do the same," said Delta SVP global sales Bob Somers in an email. "We
are pleased with the board's decision to appoint Dave Hilfman as the interim
CEO. … We know he will bring his wealth of experience to this new role.
His leadership and integrity is unquestioned, and he has the full support of
our organization."