The Faith Travel Association has named Z. Allen Abbott as executive director of the recently launched organization.
He is leaving his post as executive director of the American Red Cross in Columbus, Georgia, and will begin duties at the FTA on March 24.
Abbot brings experience from work in fundraising, financial planning, and nonprofit leadership, and is an ordained minister.
He was raised in a household of missionaries and recognizes the value that faith-based travel can bring.
"There’s a spiritual transformation that comes with pilgrimages and mission trips and through travel, people of faith can take their belief beyond borders, he said"
"FTA is an incredible new organization that pairs two of my great passions, faith and travel."
Karla DiNardo, president of NTA Services, which oversees FTA, welcomed Abbott’s appointment.
"Allen brings a wealth of experience to FTA from his work within the religious and association communities, and we consider Allen’s experience a huge asset to FTA."
Lexington-based FTA is a business network for travel professionals, companies and organizations actively involved in faith-based travel.
It officially launched in January and is wholly owned by NTA Services, a subsidiary of the National Tour Association.
