Welcome New Board of Directors
New York, 16 January 2026 - We are thrilled to introduce the visionary leaders who will guide the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) New York Chapter into its next chapter of growth and innovation.
This incoming Board of Directors brings together a powerhouse of expertise across the airlines, travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors. Their collective mission is to strengthen the bridge between the New York global travel community and the vibrant destinations of the Asia-Pacific region, fostering sustainable growth and meaningful cross-cultural connections.
"As we navigate an evolving global travel landscape, our new leadership is dedicated to providing our members with the insights, networking opportunities, and advocacy needed to thrive in the Asia-Pacific market."
The new board is already hard at work developing a robust calendar for the upcoming year, focusing on:
High-Impact Networking: Connecting local professionals with global industry titans.
Educational Excellence: Hosting seminars on emerging market trends and sustainable travel.
Cultural Exchange: Celebrating the diversity of our Pacific Asia partners through curated events.
We invite you to join us in welcoming our new leaders. Your engagement and passion remain the heartbeat of this chapter, and we look forward to achieving great milestones together. Stay Connected Be sure to follow our updates and upcoming event announcements on our official channels. Together, we are building the future of travel.
Meet Your New Board
Julian Banegas, Chairman
Owner, Jewish Heritage Travel
We are thrilled to welcome Julian Banegas as the new Chairman of PATA New York. Julian’s journey with our past-board—most recently serving as Vice-Chairman and Treasurer—has been defined by his passion for our mission and his "family-first" approach to our chapter.
With a rich professional background spanning two decades in Jewish Heritage and cultural travel, Julian has spent the last several years expanding his expertise into the Asia-Pacific region to create new horizons for his clients. Reflecting on the new board, Julian shared: “I couldn’t be more optimistic with the outstanding leadership on our board—your commitment and support are truly appreciated, and I am confident we will continue accomplishing great things for our chapter.”
Alp Ozaman. Vice-Chairman
Regional Marketing Manager, Turkish Airlines
PATA New York is proud to welcome Alp Ozaman as our new Vice-Chairman! Alp is a distinguished leader in the aviation industry, currently heading the marketing efforts for Turkish Airlines. Beyond his corporate achievements, many in our community know him as a dedicated educator, teaching as an adjunct professor since 2016 at NYU and CUNY Baruch College, leading classes in marketing, business management, and aviation, and holds a MBA degree from CUNY Baruch College. Alp’s vision for PATA New York centers on leveraging his vast professional network and academic background to foster innovation within our organization. We are excited to benefit from his strategic mindset and his commitment to strengthening PATA’s influence in the global travel community. Please join us in welcoming Alp to his new executive role. We look forward to the energy and insight Alp will bring to our leadership team as we move into a dynamic new year.
“It was a pleasure to host you here at our offices. Thank you all for a great meeting and for putting your trust in me for the position of Vice-Chairman. I will do my best to be the best ever sidekick to Julian! ”
William Gao, Treasurer
President, Trans Pacific Express, Inc.
We are privileged to welcome back William Gao to the PATA New York Executive Board. With a career spanning more than four decades, William is a cornerstone of our community, bringing unparalleled expertise in both operational and strategic leadership.
William is widely recognized for his work at the intersection of tourism and diplomacy. His recent success in hosting three NY PATA events at the United Nations has significantly strengthened our ties with global partners and diplomats. Known for his "can-do" spirit—evidenced by his pandemic-era initiative connecting Chinese medical experts with New York CDC officers—William returns to the board to champion sustainable tourism practices and create new, impactful educational opportunities for our members.
"I am grateful to the Board for their confidence in me. Following the strong foundation laid by our outgoing leaders, I am honored to step into this role. I look forward to working closely with the new Board to serve our organization with integrity and to contribute to our collective success."
Chandan Sen, Secretary
President, Saga Connect & Journeys, Inc.
We are proud to announce the election of Chandan Sen to the PATA New York Board of Directors. For many of our members, Chandan is a familiar face who has served our chapter in various capacities for more than three decades. With over 40 years of industry experience, he remains one of our most passionate advocates for the Pacific Asia region.
Chandan’s vision for the board is one of active service and global representation. From representing PATA NY at international forums to securing high-level door prizes for our events, his dedication is unwavering. We are particularly excited for his continued support in facilitating unique FAM trip opportunities to South Asia, helping our members deepen their expertise in these vital destinations.
Catherine Heald, Honorary Board Director and
Board Member
CEO and Co-Founder, Remote Lands, Inc.
We are honored to welcome Catherine Heald to the PATA New York Executive Board. A visionary in the luxury travel space, Catherine has been a staple of the PATA community for nearly 20 years. Her impressive career as a serial entrepreneur includes launching four companies across the globe, from the tech hubs of San Francisco to the vibrant markets of Guangzhou and Hong Kong.
Catherine’s passion for Asia goes far beyond business; it is a lifelong pursuit. Her curiosity for the continent’s complex history and current events drives the creative spirit of Remote Lands, where she specializes in uncovering Asia’s most unique, hidden gems. We look forward to the "out-of-the-box" thinking and international expertise she will bring to our executive team.
Vaida Balciute, Board Member
Commercial Account Manager, Emirates Airline
We are excited to officially welcome Vaida Balciute to the PATA New York Board! As a Commercial Account Manager at Emirates, Vaida brings a wealth of knowledge in client relationship management and aviation strategy to our leadership team.
Vaida has been an active participant in our community for years, and her "partnership-first" mindset makes her a perfect fit for our mission to promote Asia-Pacific travel. In her new role, she aims to drive collaboration and find innovative ways to engage our members. We also want to give a special shout-out to Vaida for stepping in to take the board minutes recently—her "can-do" spirit is already making a difference!
John (Jack) Maraffi, Board Member
President, Travelsavers International
We are thrilled to welcome Jack Maraffi to our Board of Directors. Jack is a titan of the travel industry, currently leading Travelsavers International as President. Many of you know Jack through his dedicated service as the Past Chairman of the PATA New York Chapter, and most recently evidenced by the fantastic "Summer Vibes on the Pier" event he staged.
Jack brings a wealth of marketing expertise to our team. From his days doubling revenue for Cunard Line to running his own advertising agency for world-class brands like Virgin Atlantic and Britrail, Jack knows how to scale impact. His creative leadership in founding Affluent Traveler Magazine and his deep roots in the New York travel community make him an invaluable asset to our strategic goals.