The recent winners of the MSP Airport Employee of the Year Awards represent the best in customer service at MSP, and their work is an example of going above and beyond to help others.
The awards, now in their 13th year, are given annually to three MSP employees nominated by their peers.
The awards are a partnership of the MSP Customer Service Action Council (CSAC) and the Airport Foundation MSP.
The winners for 2017:
Mari Askerooth is a police officer with the Metropolitan Airports Commission, who teaches the airport community about human trafficking and suspicious behavior awareness. She also created the “Winter Coat Closet” at MSP, where unclaimed coats, boots and other winter items are given to those in need as they pass through the airport.
She also created “Children’s Packages,” which are handed out to young travelers, helping police have positive contact with youths. Each bag contains coloring books, crayons, stickers, apple juice and other goodies for kids.
Last November, she helped a family of five that was stranded at MSP when their ride didn't show up. She and her coworkers raised enough money for bus fare, a taxi to the bus station and food for the trip.
Dereje Demeke is a cleaner with ABM. He is known for his happy demeanor, smile and kind words. He works all over the airport and when passengers stop to ask him questions, he goes out of his way to assist them.
Demeke was nominated by three Southwest Airlines employees, who regularly see him clean the floor in front of the Southwest ticket counter. He will drop whatever he is doing to assist passengers who need help.
He's been seen jumping off his floor cleaner to help a family struggling with their luggage or needing directions.
Patrick Sullivan is a below-wing lead aircraft loading agent with Delta Air Lines. In addition to his work on the airport ramp, he has taken on several other roles over the years.
Those include chairman of the MSP Airport Customer Service Blood Drive, team captain of the Special Olympics Polar Plunge, chairperson of the Below-wing Employee Fundraiser Team, work as a staffing dispatcher and a mentor to new hires.
Sullivan was nominated by three fellow Delta employees. They described him as the most generous and selfless coworker on the planet.
He’s known for his passion for creating a safe and enjoyable work environment for his fellow employees, and always making sure the customers' experience is positive and memorable.
Jana Webster, the executive director of the Airport Foundation MSP, presented the awards at a recent meeting of the Metropolitan Airports Commission.
Each winner receives a trophy, a certificate and a check for $1,000 from the Airport Foundation MSP. The winners’ images are displayed throughout the airport, and they are invited to serve on the selection committee for next year’s winners.
