Airport celebrates customer service
By Amy Schneider

The 15th annual Customer Service Employee Recognition Program on October 6 honored employees of Airport-wide businesses who have gone above and beyond to “exceed customer expectations.”

The event, held at the Georgia International Convention Center, featured a buffet lunch, raffles for donated prizes, and performances by Tri-Cities High School’s drum line, Total Dance Theatre, and Gritz and Jelly Butter Band.

Hartsfield-Jackson senior-level executives addressed the audience during the program. Interim Deputy General Manager Robert Kennedy introduced Aviation General Manager Louis Miller, who commended employees at Hartsfield-Jackson for their obvious commitment to “providing the highest level of customer service.”

Three top prizes were awarded:

• Ambassador Award: This award is given to the employee who receives the most company letters, Air-Talk cards and other customer commendations from September 2009 through August 2010. The winner, Sidney Gates of TBI Airport Management, received a trophy and $1,000 in gift cards.

• Unsung Hero/Heroine Award: This award recognizes the employee whose principal role involves direct, face-to-face customer contact and who positively affects the Airport’s overall image. The winner, Sabrina Maxey of Aircraft Service International Group, aided someone who was living in a hotel by taking her home, providing her with food and helping her to get a job. Maxey received a trophy and $2,000 in gift cards.

• Superstar Award: This award goes to the monthly recognition winner whose customer service efforts are deemed most outstanding based on impact, significance and uniqueness. Mark King of AirTran Airways assisted a passenger in a wheelchair who needed help; he went so far as to accompany her downtown on MARTA and stay with her until he was sure she would be OK. King received a trophy and $4,000 in gift cards.

Tri-Cities High School's drum line wows the crowd at the annual Customer Service Employee Recognition Program.

Customer Service Manager Karen Ellis presents the Superstar Award to Mark King of AirTran Airways. King accompanied a woman in a wheelchair downtown and stayed with her until he was sure she was OK.