Jetrader - March/April 2010 - 20

[L-R] Bob Brown, Terry McGaughan and NGO consultant Mark Schlansky in San Francisco for an organizational meeting on Feb. 24, 2009. An Iris Ministry worker treats trachoma patients in Bangula, Malawi, in southeastern Africa with supplies made available through the efforts of ISTAT AirLink. Stafﬁng In October 2009, the Foundation approved a budget to fund AirLink operations through 2010. Concurrently, the board established the goal to launch AirLink in the ﬁrst quarter of 2010 and hire a full-time program director. The search process is currently underway. The board also determined that AirLink should invite a senior industry executive to act as its executive director. A search has been conducted with the help of former Trustee Susan Thompson. AirLink is pleased to announce that Dr. Barry Humphreys has accepted the position. Dr. Humphreys also serves as non-executive chairman of the British Air Transport Society and as board trustee of NATS. Previously, he was director of external affairs and route development at Virgin Atlantic Airways. To assist the executive and program directors, an AirLink Advisory Council will be created with senior aviation executives serving as charter members. These industry experts will contribute both knowledge and resources to AirLink in the years to come. AirLink. Aidmatrix, a Dallas-based nonproﬁt, owns Web-based donation software that it had acquired from the supply-chainmanagement software company, i2 Technologies. After vetting the technology, AirLink entered into a technology provider agreement with Aidmatrix in November 2009. With a proven computerized matching program, AirLink will be well-positioned to scale its efforts as airlines and NGOs are solicited for membership in 2010. Further, AirLink will be able to leverage Aidmatrix’s existing network of NGO and donor clients through this alliance. The Launch By March 2010, AirLink is scheduled to be in business with an organizational structure (executive director, advisory board and program director), administrative services (provided by Dana Henninger from ISTAT headquarters), state-of-the-art technology (customized version of the Aidmatrix software) and the full support of the ISTAT Foundation Board. At ISTAT’s 27th Annual Conference, AirLink plans to host an information session to update ISTAT members on its launch and opportunities for participation and contribution. In the meantime, updates will be posted on ISTAT’s Web site, www.ISTAT.org. All interested individuals and ﬁrms, ISTAT members or not, are invited to become involved in this exciting industry effort. It is with pride that the ISTAT Foundation moves forward with ISTAT AirLink. We hope and plan to provide an opportunity for ISTAT members to collaborate to make unique and meaningful contributions in the global community. Shown here, the shipment of azithromycin as it is prepared for loading onto an Air Canada plane for delivery to Malawi. McGaughan supplied the organizational effort for AirLink, and, before long, the Malawi ﬂight became a reality. This led to another Mercy Corps project one month later in which Lufthansa provided discounted transport of water ﬁltration systems from Germany to Jakarta following the earthquake in Padang, Indonesia. The Wall Street Journal then took notice and printed the story “Jet Financiers Put Space to Charitable Use” on October 5. As a result of the coverage of this ISTAT Foundation program, several organizations and individuals came forward to offer support to the venture. Technology By the July 2009 working group meeting, Warren Willits had developed a working version of a Web-based software program for demonstration purposes. It was clear, however, that the development of a reliable and robust program would be a major factor in AirLink’s success. In late summer 2009, a representative of the UPS Foundation suggested Aidmatrix as a potential technology partner for 20 The ofﬁcial publication of the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading

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Jetrader - March/April 2010

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