June 2024
Aviation Employees Shine in City Excellence Awards
Several dedicated Aviation Department employees were recognized for exemplary work during the annual City of Phoenix Employee Excellence Awards. The Aviation Department received an immense amount of recognition for both innovative programs and dedicated employees. These team members are living the values of the City of Phoenix Aviation Department every day by thinking like our customers, being truly welcoming to everyone, and showing how Aviation can be a fun place to work.
Individual Pillar Award - Chad Blotkamp
This award recognizes employees who excel every day in every way. Chad’s knowledge, customer service, and ability to deliver creative solutions have led to the success of multiple complex technology, construction, facilities and operational projects. Chad continually delivers excellent customer service by establishing long-term relationships with both internal and external customers. His can-do attitude means that he often goes out of his way without hesitation to ensure customer satisfaction, even when engaging in work that falls outside his normal business hours. Chad is an extraordinarily positive and optimistic person who always greets customers and colleagues with a smile and exemplifies the City of Phoenix and Aviation Department values.
Dementia Friendly Travel Workshop Team
The Dementia Friendly Travel Workshop Team was selected for demonstrating kindness to customers and working to provide the best possible service to residents and guests of the city. The award-winning Dementia Friendly Travel Workshop debuted last year, bringing together representatives from the airport, airlines, and TSA to share information and tips while answering questions from family members of those with dementia and care providers. 
Misty Cisneros-Contreras
Rachel Brannan
Sandra Langer
Heather Shelbrack
Ira McCullough
Eric Everts
Greg Roybal
PHX STEAM Tour Partnership Team
The STEAM Tour Partnership Team was selected for successfully implementing an innovative idea where outstanding results were achieved, or an efficiency resulted in lower cost or savings to the organization. While the airport regularly hosts tours, the team added a new dimension and innovative approach by partnering with a local school district to provide tours for their students with an emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) applications at Phoenix Sky Harbor. The Cartwright School District selected PHX for all its fifth-grade field trips, and the airport directed 27 STEAM-centric tours with more than 1,800 students and staff.
Jason Gitkin
Greg Montes
Nikki Donathan
Gary Martelli
Haley Hinds
Tricky Burns
Stephen Reichardt