Employee Spotlight
Join us as we celebrate the employees who make the Phoenix Airport System work! We will feature hardworking staff during this week leading up to Airport Workers Day on June 25.
Jason M. – Alstom
Lead Maintenance Technician
Not everyone gets to ride a train to work, but Jason M. gets to fix the train that runs at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Jason, a lead maintenance technician for airport contractor Alstom, is responsible for conducting preventive and corrective maintenance on the PHX Sky Train®. “Whenever something breaks, we’re a one-stop shop,” he said. “We fix everything ourselves.”
The popular people-mover that serves each terminal and parking facility between the 44th Street Station and the Rental Car Center is a unique system, he said, and that requires specific knowledge of how the train operates, how to use the necessary tools, and problem-solving skills in general.
With a background in HVAC, Jason made the jump to Alstom at PHX in 2023, and moved up to his current position at the end of last year. It’s a good place to initiate a career when you’re getting started, he said.
“A diploma or GED are good to have but we give you everything you need” to learn the job, he said. “Most people start out at entry level and work their way up.”
Jason and his family take advantage of the outdoor lifestyle when they can, with camping and hiking in the Payson and Pine areas a favorite.
Alex P. – Kiewit Infrastructure West Co.
Taxiway Uniform Construction Project Manager
With 16 years of experience managing large teams and complex construction efforts, Alex P. has contributed to various major infrastructure projects across the United States. Alex’s background includes work on heavy civil projects such as freight and light rail systems, bridge demolition and construction, and highway rehabilitation. In addition to operational construction management experience, her background also includes project management, project controls and estimating.
Alex is now leading a project with a construction budget of more than $200 million at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. As a member of Kiewit Infrastructure West Co., the construction contractor for the airport’s Taxiway Uniform project, Alex serves as construction manager and has been on the project since day one, when work began two years ago. The Taxiway Uniform project is scheduled for completion in 2027 and will connect the north and south airfields on the west side of the airport to support improved airfield safety and efficiency.
In this role, Alex oversees safety, quality, production and scheduling. This includes planning and scheduling efforts, identifying risks, resolving issues and coordinating with inspectors, subcontractors, suppliers and airport stakeholders to ensure a quality product.
“What I enjoy most about this profession is building projects that leave a lasting, positive impact on the communities around us, and the people I get to work with every day are what make coming to work so rewarding,” says Alex. “Outside of work, I’m passionate about traveling, so being part of a project that will benefit the traveling public at PHX and make it easier for people to reach new destinations is especially meaningful to me.”
Alex holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Villanova University and a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in finance from Arizona State University.
Mark P. - Red Brick Consulting, Inc.
Sr. Aviation Program Manager
As a member of Red Brick Consulting and soon to be the leader of his own firm, Pilwallis Consulting, Program Manager Mark P. supports project delivery services for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Mark’s technical background includes transportation infrastructure, public facilities and land development, with specific experience in airports, airfields, transit systems, roadways, bridges, traffic infrastructure and utilities.
Over the last four years, through his role as a trusted construction program management advisor at Phoenix Sky Harbor, Mark has helped lead some of the airport’s most complex capital improvement projects.
Mark is currently leading the management of two major capital projects that are under construction in earnest, Taxiway Uniform and the second north concourse at Terminal 3. Earlier in his career, he supported Phoenix Sky Harbor for numerous years as the design and construction administration lead for the entire PHX Sky Train® fixed facilities program.
He is a registered civil and structural engineer in Arizona and holds a bachelor of science in civil engineering from Pennsylvania State University.
“I thrive on the complexity of big airport projects and leading the teamwork it takes to successfully bring these projects to the finish line,” says Mark.
His interest in large-scale development projects began as early as middle school, inspiring him to pursue an engineering career that would allow him to be closely involved in planning, designing and building projects that improve communities and quality of life.
Outside of work, Mark stays active and enjoys mountain biking, motorcycling, hiking and traveling.
People @ PHX features team members, from behind-the-scenes specialists to front-line staff, who keep Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport running. Each featured team member represents a unique piece of the airport puzzle, forming a connected system that supports millions of travelers every year.
Laura H., Aviation Supervisor III, Terminal Services
As an Aviation Supervisor III in Terminal Services, Laura H. helps ensure Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport remains clean, safe and welcoming for everyone who travels through it. She oversees key service contracts and works closely with custodial partners, tenants and internal teams to maintain consistent performance across Phoenix Sky Harbor International, Goodyear, and Deer Valley airports.
Laura has spent 12 years with the Aviation Department, beginning as a Supply Clerk before moving into roles that strengthened her operational insight. She began her current position in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, where she quickly found herself guiding and developing custodial programs to keep the airport clean and safe while navigating limited staffing, social distancing requirements and the implementation of electrostatic disinfecting in offices and vehicles with confirmed cases.
She is especially proud of the Smart Restroom Technology pilot she helped launch in 2022, which will soon expand across all terminal restrooms. The program features stall availability indicators, occupancy displays and real-time service alerts that help custodial teams respond quickly.
Much of Laura’s work, and the work of her team, happens behind the scenes. She leads supervisors, compliance specialists and a dedicated group of city custodians who coordinate with more than 500 contracted service workers throughout the airport system. What she enjoys most about her job is the opportunity to support, mentor and develop the people around her. She hopes travelers understand that cleanliness is the result of constant coordination across many teams in an airport that operates much like a small city.
“We take great pride in creating a world-class environment for our passengers, employees and the community,” says Laura. “It is very rewarding to help maintain the reputation of Phoenix Sky Harbor as America’s Friendliest Airport.”
Steven S. – Aviation Supervisor I, Special Maintenance, Facilities and Services
Steven S. plays a key role in guiding and informing millions of people who travel through the Aviation Department’s airport system. As part of the Sign Program for Facilities and Services, he oversees the signage visitors depend on at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Goodyear Airport and Deer Valley Airport. The work Steven and his team do can be seen throughout all three airports, from the moment you enter the airport up to the moment you are navigating a terminal to reach your gate or moving about the general aviation airports.
His team produces roadway signs, wayfinding, safety and security notices, parking information, PHX Sky Train® updates and emergency response signage. Together, they help ensure travelers experience the clarity and friendliness associated with America’s Friendliest Airport®.
Drawn by the opportunities for growth and by the scale of what many describe as a city within a city, Steven joined the Aviation Department four years ago. What he enjoys the most is the human interaction. Conversations with coworkers, stakeholders and guests give him insight into how people experience an airport and help him strengthen the signage program.
Steven and his team understand the responsibility that comes with their work. With a steady, get it done mentality, the team stays focused even when projects are challenging. Not only do they see every completed signage request as an opportunity to support daily operations, they also take pride in the sense of accomplishment the work brings.
Steven’s role supports the department’s mission by helping create a smooth and positive journey for airport visitors and contributes to the airport’s longstanding reputation for exceptional service.
Prasan D. – Driving Progress at PHX
People @ PHX highlights the people who help power Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Among them is Prasan D., a Management Services Administrator in the Business and Properties Division whose work touches many facets of the airport.
Prasan oversees Airline & Agency Affairs and Concessions programs at PHX. By working closely with these key airport stakeholders, he and his team help shape and further elevate the traveler experience at Phoenix Sky Harbor.
His days fill up with team and stakeholder meetings, written communications and terminal walk‑throughs to connect in person. “I prefer face‑to‑face conversations to keep work moving and email for follow‑up and tracking progress,” he says. “This hands‑on approach helps keep me closely tied to what is happening across the terminals.”
Success in his role requires strong contract knowledge. Prasan manages a highly technical and complex portfolio of contracts for airlines, federal agencies, commercial use permits, and concessions, including food and beverage, retail, and passenger services. His ability to build effective working relationships with tenants, federal partners and internal divisions is also essential to his day‑to‑day work.
Prasan joined the airport eight years ago after spending 12 years at the Phoenix Convention Center. He stepped into aviation seeking a new challenge and quickly made an impact.
One of his proudest achievements came during his tenure as Aviation Parking Superintendent, where he led the launch of the airport’s revamped online parking platform and a new dynamic pricing program. This major initiative established a new benchmark for parking innovation, positioning the airport as an early adopter of demand based pricing.
Lourdes C. – Aviation Supervisor II and Terminal Operations Coordinator
Starting in entry-level operations, Lourdes C. has built a 23-year career at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
As an Aviation Supervisor II and Terminal Operations Coordinator, she manages the complex puzzle of gate usage at Phoenix Sky Harbor. A critical part of her role is importing airline schedules into the airport’s gate management system and plotting flights across concourses to keep operations running smoothly. She does this for approximately 26,000 flights per month. This requires deep knowledge of various technical aspects of airport operations, including aircraft types, international and domestic flight procedures, and ramp logistics. It also demands sharp focus and problem-solving skills, a challenge Lourdes enjoys. To stay centered, she relies on her computer, the gate system, music and an essential-oil diffuser.
Lourdes also partners with the Air Service Development team, analyzing time-of-day demand and exploring ways to make airport space work for prospective airlines.
She measures success by how seamlessly passengers experience the airport, focusing on details most travelers never see.
“I absolutely adore my team. They respect my knowledge and experience, and they value my opinion,” she says. “At an airport, success depends on everyone working together from TSA, CBP, airlines and the teams that work in the public areas and secure areas. That collaboration is what makes this job so rewarding.”
Tim C. – A Creative Force Behind PHX Visuals
Tim C. helps shape what travelers see every day at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. As a digital content officer in the Public Relations Division, Tim designs graphics for newsletters, web content, and signage. He keeps America’s Friendliest Airport® on brand and easy to navigate.
An avid photographer, Tim also captures images to support airport initiatives. Since joining Phoenix Sky Harbor in May 2023, he has brought 36 years of graphic design experience and a lifelong love of aviation inspired by his father, an Air Force pilot.
Tim thrives on variety. “I get to design at my desk, then walk the airport to take photos, attend meetings, and cover events. The variety means I never get bored.” One of his proudest achievements was creating the logo and visual identity for Phoenix Sky Harbor’s award-winning 90th anniversary campaign.
Tim’s work reflects commitment to clear, friendly communication that helps travelers move through PHX with confidence.
Jay "Bo" H. - User Technology Specialist
Since 1983, Jay "Bo" H. has played a vital role in keeping Phoenix Sky Harbor connected and running efficiently. As a User Technology Specialist, he manages a wide range of critical technology systems across the airport, including parking equipment, video surveillance and vehicle identification. The variety of systems he supports means each day brings a different work environment and challenge.
Over the past four decades, Bo has seen the airport transform in remarkable ways. He still recalls the beauty of Terminal 1 when it was open. There was a hotel on the property, a gas station where the FAA tower stands today, an elementary school where the current Facilities and Services building sits, and all rental cars were located at the terminals. He has watched runways extended, roads rerouted, terminals modernized, and entire facilities relocated to support nonstop growth.
Even with all the change, Bo says, “40-plus years has gone by fast.” He considers his airport peers a work family and says Phoenix Sky Harbor is the only place where he’s found such a warm work environment.
Bo’s travel advice: “Leave home early, slow down the pace and just relax.”
Delivering Excellent Customer Service
Meet team members in customer-focused roles who strive to deliver excellent customer service at America’s Friendliest Airport®.
FLY Awards
The following employees have been recognized by Phoenix Sky Harbor’s On the FLY team (F = Friendly. L = Let me help. Y = You.) Click on their names to read their stories.
Tell us your story of a Phoenix Sky Harbor employee who went above and beyond the customer service call of duty at skyharbor@phoenix.gov and we’ll make sure they get the recognition they deserve.
