Previously served 12 yrs. as the Nat’l Air Traffic Controllers Association’s (NATCA) EVP. During that time helped lead & oversee NATCA’s efforts to build successful working relationships with the FAA, DOT, aviation industry, AFL-CIO, & Congress resulting in excellent progress on aviation safety. Her efforts included serving on boards/committees: FAA’s Drone Advisory Committee, FAA/NATCA Collaborative Steering Committee, Aero Club of Washington Board of Governors, Nat’l Aeronautic Association Board of Directors, Vice Chair of the Int’l Transport Workers’ Federation Air Traffic Services Committee & IFATCA’s rep. to the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems panel at the International Civil Aviation Organization. For IFATCA she also served on the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Task Force, the Constitution & Administration & Finance committees. Trish also sat on the AFL-CIO Political, Legislative/Policy, & Women Workers committees.

In May 2020, the Secretary of Transportation appointed Trish to the Women in Aviation Advisory Board (WIAAB) established to develop strategies & recommendations to encourage women/girls to enter aviation careers. March 2022, the WIAAB transmitted their Report “Breaking Barriers for Women in Aviation: Flight Plan for The Future”.

By trade & passion Trish was an air traffic controller working 21 yrs. at Houston Center (ZHU) prior to serving as NATCA’s EVP. At ZHU she served as Facility Representative, SW Region and then Nat’l Chair of NATCA’s Legislative Committee. She also chaired NATCA’s Organizing Committee, & VP, then President, of the NATCA Charitable Foundation.

Congressional testimony: 2009 before the House Transportation and Infrastructure
Subcommittee on Aviation about air traffic modernization, the need to improve aging FAA facilities & improvements to the federal contract tower program. 2010 before the House Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee on aviation safety & new technologies. 2019 before the Senate Aviation Subcommittee on more than a decade of stop-and-go funding negatively affecting all aspects of the National Airspace System (NAS).

Media experience: Issues included the negative effects of sequestration on the aviation system, air traffic control staffing, and the federal government shutdown(s). Most notable media appearances include CNN, CNBC’s The Squawk Box, CBS Evening News, the Ed Schultz Radio Show, and NPR.

Trish Gilbert was elected as IFATCA’s EVP Americas in 2021.