DETROIT (May 20, 2019) – Seventy-seven Airport Ambassadors at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) were honored with the President’s Volunteer Service Award at a luncheon held at DTW’s Westin Hotel last month. One Airport Ambassador, Gary Lewis, recorded 914 volunteer hours in 2018, which equates to over 17 hours per week on average. With more than 500 hours served, Lewis, Robert Downing, William Bialkowski, Karen Andrusiak and Dianna Surowiec received the prestigious gold pin from the President of the United States. The president issues the award every year to volunteers as a way to thank and honor Americans for their volunteer service.

“I am so proud of our Airport Ambassadors,” said Wayne County Airport Authority CEO Chad Newton. “We are lucky to have such a wonderful group of individuals who are passionate about our airport and dedicated to helping our customers. To receive recognition from the president is a tremendous honor. I hope our volunteers are as proud of their service as we are.”

Ambassadors were presented with a letter from President Donald Trump, a certificate and a bronze, silver or gold pin corresponding with the level of service reached in 2018.

Last year, DTW Airport Ambassadors assisted more than 335,000 customers in the McNamara and North terminals. Ambassadors can be identified by their blue vests. They assist passengers with directions, flight status, ground transportation, lost & found, as well as provide help to travelers visiting for conventions and other local events.

“Detroit Metropolitan Airport has consistently been recognized for the level of service our customers receive,” said Customer Service Manager Fran Wood. “There is no doubt that our Airport Ambassadors play a pivotal role in increasing customer satisfaction within our terminals.”  

“One of our Nation’s greatest strengths remains the compassion of our everyday citizens, who give so willingly of themselves and their lives for the benefit of others. Each generation of hardworking and kindhearted volunteers help to write a new chapter of American greatness, and our Nation is proud for your commitment to this honorable tradition,” said President Trump in his letter to awardees.

The President’s Volunteer Service Awards were established in 2003, and are officially issued by the Corporation for National and Community Service. 

To learn more about the Detroit Metropolitan Airport Ambassador program, please visit:

http://www.metroairport.com/volunteer.

For details about the President’s Volunteer Service Award, please visit: www.PresidentialServiceAwards.gov.

See below for names of the President’s Volunteer Service Award winners. Photos of award winners are available upon request.

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) welcomed more than 35 million passengers in 2018 and is one of the world’s leading air transportation hubs. With service from 13 scheduled passenger airlines, Michigan’s largest airport offers approximately 1,100 flights per day to and from more than 140 nonstop destinations on four continents. With two award-winning passenger terminals, six jet runways, and an onsite AAA Four-Diamond Westin Hotel, DTW is among the world’s most efficient, customer friendly and operationally capable airports in North America.  DTW is operated by the Wayne County Airport Authority, which also operates nearby Willow Run Airport – an important corporate, cargo and general aviation facility.  The Airport Authority is entirely self-sustaining and does not receive tax dollars to support airport operations.   Visit www.metroairport.com for more information.

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For additional information, members of the media may contact:

Erica Donerson – Erica.Donerson@wcaa.us or Lisa Gass – Lisa.Gass@wcaa.us

Media Line – (734) 247-7379