DETROIT, Nov. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines pilot Captain Ken Pratt received Delta's highest honor in employee recognition on November 8th when he was inducted into Delta Air Lines' Chairman's Club. The Delta Chairman's Club honors 100 top employees each year. Honorees are nominated by their colleagues and selected based on their embodiment of Delta's values and principles, their distinguished contributions to the company, their dedication to their community and their exceptional service to Delta's customers.

"Delta has incredible momentum heading into the New Year, and much of that can be attributed to the collaborative efforts of Delta's dedicated and high-performing employees," said Richard Anderson, Delta's chief executive officer. "Our 2012 Chairman's Club honorees are a perfect example of how Delta employees live the values of this great enterprise as they serve our customers each day."

Pratt is in his twenty-sixth year with Delta Air Lines. He is currently a Captain flying B-767 aircraft based in Detroit, Michigan. Pratt is also a retired Colonel having served twenty-nine years in the United States Air Force and the Michigan Air National Guard. Pratt received the Chairman's Award for his work in founding Freedom Center, the military lounge located at Gate A43 at Detroit Metropolitan Airport's McNamara Terminal. This Veteran's Day marked the first year of operations for Freedom Center, which has hosted more than 30,000 members of the military, their family members and veterans during their travels through Detroit.

"It is no surprise to me or any of my fellow Michigan Freedom Center board members that Ken would receive an award that recognizes his service to the community and exceptional service to his customers," said Senator Patrick Colbeck, (R-7th district). "He is a living example of a life lived in humble service to others. The world is a much better place with leaders such as Ken Pratt."

"I am truly honored to receive this award," said Pratt. "However, the success of Freedom Center is due to the collective dedication of numerous individuals and organizations. It has been a collaborative effort and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to serve our military personnel traveling through Detroit Metropolitan Airport."

Freedom Center is staffed by volunteers seven days a week, 365 days a year. Operating hours are from 6:00 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. However, many nights Freedom Center has operated around the clock when travelling soldiers, sailors and Marines are stranded due to flight delays or weather issues. Individuals wishing to make a donation to Freedom Center or become a volunteer can obtain additional information on the Freedom Centers website, MIFreedomCenter.org.

Media contact for additional information, contact: John McCandless, 313-610-5600.

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Founding Member of Detroit Freedom Center Receives Top Honor