-What is your current position at PHL and how long have you worked here?
My current position is Purchasing Manager, Professional Services. I have been working at the airport for nine years.
-Why did you decide to work at PHL and what is the most meaningful part of your job?
Growing up, my parents took my brother and me on family vacations, where I fell in love with traveling, airports, and flying. After leaving a hotel job in Washington DC, I moved home to Philadelphia, enrolled in airport management school, and volunteered at my home airport, PHL.
The most meaningful part of my job are the opportunities my team provides. When the airport requires professional services such as consulting, we issue a Request for Proposals (RFP). The vendors with the best proposals are awarded contracts with PHL, which are opportunities to do business. My team also plays an important role to ensure those contracts are inclusive of minority and women business enterprises (M/WBEs). We at the airport issue numerous opportunities and achieve high participation of M/WBEs on professional services contracts, which is very meaningful work.
-What do you enjoy most about the Airport?
There is always something new to learn. The ins and outs of what we do as a whole is truly incredible, and there is so much to uncover.
-What are some of the key principals/personal mantra by which you live by and what inspires you?
This question made me think about my shopping list. A standing item on my list is “something new”, a constant reminder to branch out.
-Are you involved in any committees within PHL? If so, what are your goals and why do you enjoy being on this committee?
I’ve been on the Recycling Committee since my early days at the airport. Have you ever stopped by the B/C Food Court and won a big, blue recycling bin? Well, I probably made you play the recycling game to win it! Twice a year, the Recycling Committee puts on an Earth Day and America Recycles Day event. It is a privilege to work the recycling game at these events, educating Philadelphians on what to put in their home recycling bin. Taking care of the environment has always been important to me, and this is a way I contribute. Alec is shown participating in 2019 America Recycles Day activities at PHL.
-Do you have any ‘favorites’ (eateries, retail shops, amenities, etc.) that you would recommend to family and friends traveling through PHL?
Piattino, located in Terminal A-East. Great individual pizzas made to order by an Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE). My personal favorite is the wild mushroom pizza. Order Piattino on the Grab app today!
-What is your most memorable moment at PHL? (Working with a passenger or stakeholder)
One day when I was a volunteer, a passenger that did not speak English approached me. He was flying to Europe out of Terminal A-East. After reviewing his boarding pass, I quickly realized that this passenger was in serious risk of missing his flight. Since I did not speak the language, I immediately walked him to his gate. It turns out, the airline had been paging the passenger and he boarded the flight with just minutes to spare.
-What challenges has your department faced since the COVID-19 pandemic and how have you and your co-workers overcome those challenges?
My team had to adjust, like a lot of us, to working from home. We also welcomed two new employees to our team virtually. Biweekly meetings help our team get together to review our work, see each other’s faces and converse. Chatting through Teams is another tool we use to send each other quick messages and check-in. Occasionally, we meet via Zoom off the clock.
