Todd Freeman loves airplanes: being around them, flying them, taking part in related activities.
It’s in his blood. His mother was a private pilot in the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s.
As soon as he was of legal age, Freeman got his pilot’s license. He even took a year off from college, to get advanced ratings and experience.
Freeman’s passion took him out of an early career in banking, back to business school, and then into the specialized world of commercial aircraft leasing and finance.
Todd Freeman
The Westport resident of over 20 years worked with Airbus, GE Capital and GE Aircraft Engines. His job took him around the world, with long-term assignments in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
After retiring from GE in 2019, planes remained an important part of his activities.
After earning FAA flight instructor ratings he began teaching part-time at Westchester County Airport — the same place his mother kept her Cessna more than 50 years ago.
Freeman flies volunteer pilot missions for organizations like AngelFlight, transporting patients from rural areas to special treatment in urban areas.
He enjoys flying with his son Ben. The 2011 Staples High School graduate works in aerospace, and is also an experienced pilot.
In 2020 Freeman joined the board of Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer. His work with one of the largest aircraft manufacturers in the world keeps him plugged into the aerospace industry.
But Freeman’s main aviation-related activity lately — and the one he calls most rewarding — is as board chair of Airlink.
Working with an Airlink shipment, at airports …
The Washington-based humanitarian organization delivers critical aid to communities in crisis around the globe, providing free airlift and logistical solutions to 200 nonprofit partners.
Through Airlink’s relationships with airlines and logistics companies worldwide, they lower or eliminate the cost of moving aid cargo and skilled responders during disaster relief and response efforts.
“Humanitarian aid work is complex. It has so many obstacles,” Freeman says.
“Airlink leverages the power and speed of aviation to get the right aid to where it needs to be.”
… and on the ground.
The organization responds to two types of disaster. The core activity is rapid relief, for sudden disaster- and climate-related events, like hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires and floods.
During Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Airlink moved over 700 NGO workers. That number will rise, as rebuilding continues.
Airlink also works during complex crises, like Ukraine. There, they have helped 66 non-profits deliver 2,300 tons of supplies, benefiting 6 million Ukrainians.
Aid to the war-torn nation has included medicines, prosthetics, surgical and pre-natal supplies, family emergency kits, generators and shelters.
Besides planes, Airlink uses rail, trucks and marine aid.
AmeriCares is one of Airlink’s 200 nonprofit partners.
As it celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, Freeman notes that support for Airlink has a multiplier effect. The more efficient and effective his organization is, the more it can help 200 charities do their work, helping people around the world in need.
“There is no shortage of demand for humanitarian aid. Airlink’s value proposition is strong and established,” Freeman says.
“We have a hard-working and dedicated team, and a great group of airline, logistics and NGO partners. Toether with a growing and more diverse donor base, we plan to scale up and impact the live of millions more.”
(To learn more about Airlink — including how to donate — click here.)
