Public Safety and Security Awards Honor Teamwork, Core Values, and Collaboration

   

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Click through the slideshow to see the 2026 award winners.

Our Public Safety and Security team recently held their annual awards breakfast – a time to honor employees for their commitment to our core values and partnerships with colleagues.

While every contribution is notable and you’re encouraged to congratulate everyone listed below, we wanted to shine a spotlight on the Teamwork award winners, who demonstrated the exceptional collaboration to which we all aspire.

• Noelle Steffanson, Janae Ruffalo, Badging; Karen Crone, Travis Hess, Aviation Security; Scott Shepler, Tim Frisius, Information Technology

The successful implementation of a new Identity Management System was made possible through exceptional teamwork across the Security Badging, Security Operations, and Information Technology teams.

Noelle provided outstanding leadership throughout the transition, steering the Security Badging team with meticulous planning, extensive testing, and behind‑the‑scenes coordination that made the changeover virtually seamless. Janae was instrumental in supporting the rollout, creating workflow scenarios, maintaining constant communication, and ensuring the team had clear guidance – making a complex transition feel effortless. Scott and Tim delivered critical technical expertise and responsive support, troubleshooting issues, keeping systems stable, and consistently going above and beyond to ensure the project stayed on track. Travis and Karen dedicated significant time and expertise to building, testing, and implementing badge access and background adjudication processes, ensuring regulatory and operational continuity within the new system.

Together, their combined efforts, collaboration, and dedication were essential to the project’s success and exemplify the highest standard of teamwork.

• Brandon Yu, Brandon Names, Tyson Settle, Justin Heidmann, Trenton Lovell, Joseph Hedden, Portland Airport Fire and Rescue

These Portland Airport Fire and Rescue members of the Port Police’s Rapid Response Team have demonstrated outstanding service through their consistent dedication, expertise, and hands‑on support. They actively participate in internal and external trainings, assist on callouts, and provide realistic, high‑quality instruction – from wound‑packing exercises using livestock organs to patient movement, fitness, and gas‑mask readiness.

Their can‑do attitude, professionalism, and strong partnership greatly enhance the effectiveness of the Rapid Response Team, and their commitment to readiness and teamwork exemplifies exceptional service to the Port Police and our community.

Congratulations also go out to our other Public Safety and Security award recipients:

Leadership

• Portland Airport Fire and Rescue Safety Team: Brandon Names, Justin Armentrout, Frank Russo, Cody Scoles, Dan Daw, Jason Zollner
• Port of Portland Police: Austin Adams, Peter Brenner Jr. 
• Airport Communications Center: Ken Stone, Lander Haasken

Service

• Port Police: Grant Thommen, Darlene Hall, Jordan Orazio 
• Airport Communications Center: Jeris Nakamasu, Melissa Beal 
• Portland Airport Fire and Rescue: Peter Hallenius, Andrew Schlumpberger, Chris Angel, Levi Favara
• Aviation Security: Karen Crone

Inclusion

• Aviation Security: Sean Michael 
• Airport Communications Center: Sam Fetters
• Portland Airport Fire and Rescue: Renee Jarussi, Joseph Hedden

Partnership Award for Service

• Information Technology - Business Solutions Partners: Scott Lawrence, Brooke Calkins, Tristan Whitehead
• Port Police: Zach Landry