Constanza Adonis-Cocio
Escape Lounge

Nominated by her team and PDX travelers

1. "Constanza is a great person. She helps in all areas of the Escape Lounge and makes it so that everyone who visits feels at home. Her beautiful smile and great charisma make her a customer service award winner – her love for PDX shines!"

2. "She is very happy and always ready help to everyone who comes in the lounge."

Jennifer DeAnda
United Airlines

Nominated by a PDX traveler

"I flew home to PDX after a long, stressful trip involving the loss of my younger brother. When I landed, I realized I had no idea where my car keys were. I live far from the city, so getting home wasn’t going to be as simple as calling a friend. I was physically and emotionally exhausted and just wanted to be home.

After collecting my bags and searching them with no luck, I started wandering the terminal, unsure of what to do. That’s when I crossed paths with Jennifer. I asked if I could leave my bags with her while I went to check my car. As expected, she kindly declined, but what happened next surprised me.

Instead of sending me on my way, Jennifer immediately offered to help. She insisted on carrying my two large suitcases and walked with me to the garage. When we couldn’t find the keys at the car, she helped me contact AAA, who could tow the car to a dealership. However, that would mean waiting until the next day, which wasn’t an option I could handle at that point.

We went back into the airport and Jennifer offered to go through my bags one more time, just to be sure. As she searched, I was barely holding it together. She looked at me and said, "I’m not going to leave you without a solution."

In the end, Jennifer arranged for me to get a rental car, and I was able to go home. She did what I couldn’t do for myself in that moment. I was a stranger, asking for help with a problem that wasn’t her responsibility. But that didn’t matter to her.

She was calm, kind, resourceful, and determined to help. On one of my worst days, I had the good fortune of meeting someone extraordinary, someone who saw a person in distress and went above and beyond to make things right. For that, I am deeply grateful."

Graham Ignoffo
Port of Portland

Nominated by PDX employees

1. "I was dealing with some issues outside of work, and Graham has been so caring and concerned. He even shared his own personal experience, which helped me make some decisions. Graham has always provided an authentic space where I can be myself. That has meant so much to me. I so appreciate him."

2. "A mother and her 11-year-old daughter – who uses a wheelchair – had just arrived at PDX. As the ADA coordinator, she called me looking for an adult changing table. We don’t have one (yet), so I offered her the family restroom or lactation room, but she didn’t want to place her daughter on the floor, and understandably, she wouldn’t be able to lift her back up if she did. She stated, 'This is unacceptable.'

I quickly started looking for solutions and was reminded that we have cots in our Emergency Operations Center. Next, I called Graham to see if he was working and if he could help. Luckily, he was and, no surprise, he was very willing to assist! I arranged for the traveler and her daughter to contact Graham, and he would have a cot ready for them. They called, and he came running. A successful makeshift adult changing table was set up in the family restroom. The guests were incredibly grateful for our service."

Dainya Morgan
Relay Resources

Nominated by James, a PDX traveler

"I was eating in the food court when I saw Dainya step in to help someone who wasn’t feeling well and was sitting at a table with his head down. I hadn’t realized what was going on at first, but Dainya put on gloves and gently started assisting him, speaking to him with such kindness and care. It was a tough situation, but she handled it with compassion and professionalism."

Matt Salgado
Grassa 

Nominated by a PDX employee

"Matt Salgado went to great lengths to reunite a customer at Grassa with an item of sentimental value that had been left behind and placed in a locked Lost and Found drop box. I was dispatched to assist, but by the time I arrived, the customer had already left the area.

Matt got the customer’s contact information before they left Grassa, and he tracked me down as I walked Concourse D looking for them. He called the customer and arranged for us to meet back at the drop box. Without his efforts, the customer would have had to leave Portland without their lost item.

When I spoke with Matt afterward to pass along praise to his manager, he told me he was the manager. I said, ‘Your GM, then.’ Matt replied, ‘I’m actually the GM, too.’ So here I am, climbing to the top of the mountain to place some well-deserved laurels on Matt’s head.

Those who work at Grassa are already familiar with Matt’s customer service chops, but it was a pleasure for me to see them in action, too."

Thurston Schaff
SP Plus Corporation

Nominated by a PDX traveler

"My daughter wasn’t planning to leave her car at PDX, but after her scheduled ride didn’t show up – and after being awake for 24 hours – she had no choice. She arrived at the airport with her family for an early international flight and quickly parked in the short-term lot. Before boarding, she managed to text me the floor number.

I went to the airport to try and find her car and move it out of the lot. I quickly realized how overwhelming that task would be. That’s when I spotted an SP Plus vehicle and asked the driver if he had any advice.

Thurston not only had tips, he also had experience and was willing to help. He drove me around the garage again and again, cheerfully offering suggestions and encouragement along the way. And yes – we found the car!

Thurston went above and beyond to assist me, and I’m incredibly grateful for his professional and gracious help. He is truly an asset to the PDX parking team."

Dafna Singh
TSA

Nominated by Pam, a PDX traveler

"After a very long line at the TSA checkpoint last night, I was pleased to make it to Officer Singh at the ID check. She was personable and understanding, making the security experience feel human and respectful. At the same time, she was efficient and kept us all moving. My best regards to her."

Terri-Anne Thalman
Enterprise

Nominated by her team

“Every customer who interacts with Terri-Anne can’t help but be taken with her. Her top priority each day is making sure her customers are 100% satisfied with their experience. Customers regularly come in asking for her by name because of the exceptional experience she provides.

As for her role with her fellow employees, she has earned the kind of trust and respect you’d expect to be given to senior leadership!”

Ash Torgerson
Relay Resources

Nominated by her team

"Ash Torgerson deserves recognition for demonstrating strong safety awareness and leadership. While working on the Relay Resources floor care team one evening, Ash observed a motorized golf cart entering a pedestrian pathway adjacent to the north loading dock.

Recognizing the potential safety hazard, she took immediate action by documenting the issue with a photo, engaging the driver to communicate the concern, and promptly reporting the incident to PDX Airport Operations. As a direct result of Ash’s proactive response, we conducted outreach with the driver and will be installing signage to reinforce that this area is designated for pedestrians only.

Ash’s quick thinking and commitment to safety exemplify the standards we strive for at PDX, helping to create a safer environment for all employees. Thank you, Ash, for leading by example!"

Cheranda Curtis
Matt Rosales
Adam Tomaszewski
Port of Portland

Charity Fenley
Relay Resources

Nominated by Adam, PDX traveler

"My name is Adam, and I am a quadriplegic who was traveling on a flight out of PDX. Unfortunately, due to unanticipated challenges, we were stranded at the airport with no way to get home and a wheelchair that was at 10% battery.

Over the next eight hours, as we waited for a new flight, the night shift operations crew went above and beyond to locate a wheelchair charger that fit my chair. Additionally, they supplied us with water, food, and much needed kindness. The team who helped deserve to be recognized for their exemplary customer service. Thank you."