Yearly Winner 2006
Employee of the Year Award
 
MARIO ELLIS
Airport Agent
MDAD
 
In February 2006, Mr. Ellis went above and beyond the call of duty in assisting a 16-year-old stranded deaf-mute passenger who had flown in from Anchorage, Alaska and was trying to get to his grandfather's home in North Port, Florida. Mr. Ellis personally drove him to the Greyhound bus station, paid for his ticket with his own money, and phoned the boy's grandfather several times to reassure him he would soon arrive safely.
 
 

January 2007

CARLOS VILLAGRA
Landside Officer 1
ROLANDO BARRETO
Landside Officer 1
Landside Operations - MDAD

Through caring and persistence, assisted two visually impaired customers having difficulty getting transportation





 

February 2007

JEFFREY CARTER
Store Attendant
AARON PAUL
Store Manager
California Pizza Kitchen - HMS-Host

Went to great lengths to return lost wallet

 

March 2007

LEE HARVEY
Ticket Agent
American Airlines

Made extraordinary efforts to assist three passengers whose vacation was ruined by the death of their young relative. In their words, "We will never forget MIA.”

 

April 2007

Linnette Christian
Fleet Service Clerk
American Airlines

While on her break, encountered mother and disabled child walking long distance to gate; escorted mother to gate and carried child on her back…

 
 

May 2007

Mario R. Baro
Assistant Manager
Airport Parking Associates

Went out of his way to contact passengers after they lost important documents


 

June 2007

Geneva Hairs
Airport Specialist
MDAD











Patricia Cardenas
Airport Agent
MDAD

With caring and compassion, Geneva Hairs and Patricia Cardenas assisted an elderly disoriented passenger; taking him to stay at the home of a friend, going as far as laundering his clothes. They personify the concept of “above and beyond the call of duty.”

 

July 2007

Jessie Muino
Landside Operations Equipment Specialist
MDAD
 
Assisted two airport patrons whose car stalled on the upper drive. He towed them to a remote area and did not leave their side until additional help came


 

August 2007

Mark Sepulveda
Superintendent
Facilities Maintenance - MDAD

Assisted two stranded passengers on the outskirts of the airport and drove them to the terminal to assure they would not miss their flight



 

September 2007

Geneva Hairs
Airport Specialist - MDAD

Two-time Winner!

Went above the call of duty by going through the security check point at concourse H to purchase Cinnabons for a passenger and her young son after learning they had been in the terminal for sometime looking for the Cinnabon establishment at concourse E which had close down.
 

October 2007

Ernesto Alonso
Airport Agent - MDAD

“Kind” and “thoroughly efficient.” This is how a passenger recently described Ernie Alonso.  When the passenger lost his Blackberry in October, he was certain it was gone forever.  The last thing he expected was a call from his sister telling him that his Blackberry was in the Lost & Found office at MIA. Ernie’s careful sleuthing paid off, allowing the passenger to retrieve his Blackberry on his next trip to Miami.

November 2007

Noel Reyes
Customer Service Attendant Smarte Cart

While working the midnight shift, Noel Reyes found a passport, an ID and $341 in a Smarte Cart. He immediately went to the information counter to turn them in, but the counter was closed. He located an Aviation Security Agent and turned the items over to him. The passenger later came looking for his items and these were returned to him. Thanks to Noel’s persistence in finding an Aviation employee to give the items to, the passenger, despite the hour (midnight) was able to quickly retrieve his belongings.
 

December 2007

Carlos Sanchez
Manager, Secure Wrap

Carlos Sanchez, Secure Wrap Manager, went beyond the scope of his duties to assist a passenger find her lost bag after her airline advised her that her luggage had been lost. Carlos went into a storage area where bags with no identification are placed and found the missing bags.