AAPL Company

Apple hires American Airlines exec to lead government affairs

Chance Miller | Aug 12 2026 - 10:19 am PT

Apple has hired a new vice president of government affairs. Bloomberg today reports that Nate Gatten, a veteran executive from American Airlines, will take over the role on August 31.

Until last year, Apple’s government affairs organization was led by Lisa Jackson, who joined the company in 2013 after previously leading the EPA in the Obama administration. Jackson also oversaw the company’s environmental and social initiatives. Jackson announced her retirement late last year.

As part of that transition, Apple said that legal chief Katherine Adams would serve as the company’s senior vice president of government affairs until retiring in late 2026.

Now, Gatten is set to assume the title of vice president of government affairs on August 31. Gatten will report to Jennifer Newstead, Apple’s Senior Vice President and General Counsel.

Bloomberg reports that Apple “wanted someone who could align with the Trump administration” to take this role. Gatten is a Republican and will “work closely” with Tim Cook in this new position.

Gatten became the head of government affairs for American Airlines in 2017 and announced his departure this week. Before his time at American, Gatten worked at JPMorgan Chase and Fannie Mae.

Apple wanted someone who could align with the Trump administration, according to people familiar with the company’s thinking. He also has experience in real estate that could help the iPhone maker as the company expands its retail chain and other operations, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the deliberations were private.

The report also provides additional context on Apple’s hope that Gatten can work with leaders on both sides of the aisle.

At the same time, Apple sees Gatten as someone who can work constructively with policymakers on both sides of the aisle, the people said. That will be especially important if the balance of power shifts in Washington. Democrats are vying to take control of at least one chamber of Congress in midterm elections in November, and Trump has less than 2 1/2 years left in his term.

Gatten serves on the board of the Faith and Politics Institute, a Washington-based organization founded in 1991 that seeks to promote productive and civil discourse across partisan lines.

While Tim Cook is stepping down as Apple CEO on September 1, he will remain involved in “engaging with policymakers around the world” in his new role as executive chairman.