Daily Archives: December 1, 2021

Letters to the Editor| South Bend Tribune

Thank you to The Tribune for including the USA Today Network Exclusive Special Section, "Seven Days of 1961." I appreciate having these significant events reviewed in such a meaningful way.

In 1961 I was 17, and do recall television evening news coverage of major civil rights events. It all seemed very far removed from my southwest Michigan rural life.

Through the years I have come to realize just how significant a time it was for our country. We must make sure these events are not allowed to be forgotten. May we learn from our mistakes.

Unfortunately, as a nation, we still have not come close to achieving "liberty and justice for all. The Golden Rule says it all: "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you."

Barbara Groner

Dowagiac

Monroe Primary Center, on the south side of South Bend, has turned Carroll and Farneman streets into a racetrack. On any given morning, there are two lines of traffic going north on a side street, horns are honking, music blaringand yelling, without regard to the residents in this neighborhood.

At 6 a.m., someone puts out a sign blocking access to Carroll from the north, and as of 11:30 a.m., it is still out there, although school has been in session for over four hours. When this sign is taken down, it is back out there in the afternoon, so that these parents block Farneman,engines running, music blaring, again without regard to those of us that live here.

I have approached an official from Monroe about the danger for the residents should they need emergency personnel, as there is no lane to get down Farneman;I was rebuffed. I have gone to the police, they blew it off, I went to the traffic engineer, she blew it off, and my councilman at that time never returned my calls. It appears to me that until someone dies or sues the city because they could not get adequate help or care, this will continue to be a problem.

These parents should not need a sign telling them the route they need to take to drop off or pick up their child.

Paul Williams

South Bend

Here are some quotes for the season:

Wallet: A device that permits you to lose all your valuables at the same time.

M.B.A.: Abusinessman who is often wrong but seldom in doubt.

Atheist: Aman who watches Notre Dame play Southern Methodist and doesn't care who wins.

Bargain: Atransaction in which each party thinks he has cheated the other.

Perfectionist: Someone who takes great pains and gives them to other people.

Compromise: An arrangement whereby people who can't get what they want makes sure nobody does either.

A sport:In golf, one who does not pick up a lost ball until it stops rolling.

Mr. Gobble visiting his friend says, "A Christmas tree! Carl, it's not even Thanksgiving yet. Thanksgiving's nice, but you know I'm not a practicing turkey."

Indian chief to pilgrim: "Are you serious? You want to have a picnic outdoors in late November?"

Jerry Schpok

South Bend

More here:

Letters: A reminder that this country still hasn't achieved 'liberty and justice for all' - South Bend Tribune

SPONSORED:

Join us fo a Christmas Coffee and Clothing drive to benefit the West Seattle Clothesline, reads an announcement from Daystar Retirement Village.

When you drop off a gently-used clothing donation they will treat you to a steaming, delicious coffee drink made to order! All are welcome to help fill the West Seattle Clothesline stocks with clothing to benefit our neighbors in need.

The event will take place from 10:00-11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021 at 2615 SW Barton Street in the Westwood Village neighborhood (map below).

While youre there be sure to take note of the friendly residents and staff as well as their well maintained facility. If you or a loved one are in search of a high quality, active senior community, you owe it to yourself to consider Daystar Retirement Village, part of the Powell Communities family.

Jason Kitchel began working for Powell Communities in May of 2018.

Jason really enjoys the culture at Powell. We are a family owned business, and everyone truly is treated like family- with integrity and passion, and always keeping in mind The Golden Rule.

There can often be a lot of anxiety surrounding the decision to move family members into a senior community, and Jason strives to put peoples minds at ease as much as possible by listening to them and showing them that this is not the end of the story- it is simply a new chapter and everyone at Powell Communities is here to help continue the story with them, and that we are not an old folks home we truly ARE a community.

Call or Email Jason today to discover why Its so good to be home! at Daystar Retirement Village: [emailprotected].

Wed love to meet you!

Address: 2615 SW Barton Street,Seattle, WA 98126 (map below)

Phone:206-937-6122

E-mail:[emailprotected]

Fax:(206) 937-4803

Our rental office is open seven days a week.

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Enjoy Christmas Coffee and Clothing Drive at Daystar Retirement Village on Thurs., Dec. 9 - The B-Town - The B-Town Blog

Inthe deepening debate over the future of American democracy, the progressive Left and the religious Right have this in common: They both cling to nostalgic fictions about the past. Their revisionist histories, rooted in secularism on the one hand and sectarianism on the other, would propel our politics in the same direction: towardthe Leviathanimagined by Thomas Hobbes, an omnicompetent state that offers security and prosperity at the price of freedom.

On the Right, the rejection of liberal democracy is motivated by a yearning for a premodern world: a society animated by medieval concepts of virtue, faith, and authority. Catholic scholars such as Patrick Deneenargue that, under Christendom, the cultivation of virtue and aspiration to the common good served as bulwarks against tyranny. But liberalism dissolved these ideas, he writes, replacing them with civic indifference and the unfettered and autonomous choice of the individual. Likewise, Harvard law professor Adrian Vermeule condemns the liberal project as the enemy of the historic church. Both politically and theoretically, he writes, hostility to the Church was encoded within liberalism from its birth.

Behind these views is a cluster of piousand dangerousfalsehoods about the history of European Christianity. The Catholic medieval project brought with it great reforms in law and education; it abolished slavery and established institutions to care for societys most vulnerable. Yet, for all its achievements, Christendom failed to uphold the most revolutionary tenets of Christianitynamely, the freedom and equality of every human soul.

Indeed, by insisting that the state enforce an overarching religious identity, the church criminalized dissent, trampled the rights of conscience, and authorized a brutal, continental Inquisition to root out and punish alleged heretics. Alongside its exhortations to virtue was a culture of hedonism and materialism. The humanist scholar Erasmus, satirizing clerical depravity, imagined the apostle Peter denying Pope Julius entry into heaven:If Satan needed a vicar, he could find none fitter than you. On the eve of the Protestant Reformation, the crisis of religious authority was manifest: a consequence, in part, of an unholy alliance between pope and emperor.

>>>The Appropriation of Locke

It required the secular forces of the Enlightenment to sweep aside the superstitions and religious hatreds that stood in the way of a more just and egalitarian society. That, at least, is the narrative of the progressive Left. Under this view, epitomized by thinkers such as Steven Pinker, religious belief is inherently suspect; organized religion is considered the enemy of reason, science, human rights, and social progress. As Pinker declares inEnlightenment Now, the moral worldview of any scientifically literate personone who is not blinkered by fundamentalismrequires a clean break from religious conceptions of meaning and value. Asa product of the radical Enlightenment of Spinoza and Voltaire, we are told, the American Founding was essentially a secular affair.

Yet the progressive account of the nations origins is rooted in a secularization myth, the false notion that liberal democracy emerged only after religion became privatized and marginalized in public life: the separation of church and state. Progressive historians exhibit a tone-deafness to the religious beliefs that inspired the American revolutionaries and shaped the debates over the U.S. Constitution.

InThese Truths: A History of the United States, Jill Lepore offers an informed and vivid account of the American Founding but omits any significant role for the Bible, the most widely read book in colonial America. In her rendering, the Declaration of Independence contained only secular truths, with no discernible link to a deity of any variety. Likewise, inFirst Principles, Thomas Ricks traces the impact of ancient Greece and Rome on the Foundersbut has nothing to say about how the Americans bracketed the classical world with a host of Christian assumptions about freedom, equality, and natural rights. In noting the influence of college president John Witherspoon on Madisons political philosophy, Ricks fails to mention that Witherspoon was an evangelical minister, or that Madison studied theology under Witherspoon before launching his political career.

Contrary to these revisionist histories, the concept of natural rights and freedoms was not a secular idea. Rather, it grew in the soil of revealed religion, when elements of Protestantism supplied the moral and theoretical bedrock for constitutionalism. The key figure, misunderstood by progressives as well as conservatives, was the English philosopherJohn Locke, considered the father of political liberalism.

Lockes insight was to combine the classical idea of natural and universal rights with that of natural law, which was always thought to be grounded in the divine will. The law of Nature, Locke wrote in hisTwo Treatises of Government(1689), taught that every person was born free and independent, the workmanship of one omnipotent and infinitely wise Maker, sent into the world by His order and about his business. Everyone therefore had a natural duty to respect the life, liberty, and possessions of his neighbor. They are His property, whose workmanship they are made to last during His, not one anothers pleasure. The rulers of a Hobbesian state, by tramplingindividualrights and freedoms, robbed God of his divine prerogative andput themselves into a state of war with the people. Outside of the Bible, no text was cited more frequently by the American revolutionaries than Lockes explosive manifesto.

Moreover, Lockes famous argument for the separation of church and state was not motivated by anticlericalism or a desire to cleanse the public square of religion. A lifelong Anglican, Locke was outraged by the attempt, by both Catholics and Protestants, to impose religious conformity through force. InA Letter Concerning Toleration(1689),he appealed to the life and teachings of Jesus, the Captain of our salvation, to defend religious liberty for all members of the commonwealth. And because Locke believed firmly in a final judgmentbecause no man can so far abandon the care of his own salvationeveryone must be free to seek religious truth according to the demands of conscience.

Locke placed a heavy burden on church leaders to teach and model a posture of peace and goodwill toward everyoneas well towards the erroneous as the orthodox; towards those that differ from them in faith and worship, as well as towards those that agree with them therein. And he delivered a stern warning, as a fellow believer, that Gods judgment awaited those who ignored the plain teaching of Jesus on the matter. And if anyone that profess himself to be a minister of the word of God, a preacher of the Gospel of peace, teach otherwise; he either understands not, or neglects the business of his calling, and shall one day give account thereof unto the Prince of Peace.

Lockes arguments permeated the outlook of colonial America. Protestant ministers, the cultural leaders of the day, embraced Lockes thinking as a biblical defense of equality, natural rights, and religious freedom. Elisha Williams, a rector at Yale University, in an influential tract published in 1744, warned that whenever government was applied to any other end than the preservation of their persons and properties, ... then (according to the great Mr. Lock) it becomes tyranny. Williams implored religious and political leaders to adopt that golden precept of our blessed Lord. As Locke framed it, the sum of all we drive at is that every man enjoy the same rights that are granted to others.Here, at the beginning of Americas democratic journey, was the political application of the golden rule.

The religious Right fails to grasp that, in a profoundly important sense, liberalism arose as a Christian response to the failures of Christendom. Although their political agenda remains murky, they seem enamored of the prospect of reestablishing a nationalist, religious vision: a Leviathan wearing the robes of a priest. Under this vision, the exercise of raw executive power would vanquish the enemies of cultural conservatism. Hence their uncritical embrace of Donald Trump, the self-styled defender of Christian values: Nobody has done more for Christianity ... or for religion itself than I have, he recently boasted.

>>>1776: A Lockean Revolution

Meanwhile, by disregarding the biblical roots of liberalism, progressives seek to expunge religious ideals from our politics. By severing universal rights from the ballast of religious truth, they debase the concept of rights and transform it into a platform for social entitlementsenforced by the state. By quashing dissent from the new orthodoxy, they summon the spirit of the inquisitor. In their desire for a perfectly egalitarian society, Hobbes would be an ally:And though of so unlimited a power men may fancy many evil consequences, yet the consequences of the want of it, which is perpetual war of every man against his neighbor, are much worse.

Here, ironically, is the common ground between the progressive Left and religious Right: the willingness to employ the unlimited power of government to achieve their fantastical aims. But the American experiment in human freedom, for all of its flaws, is a rebuke to the Hobbesian project. The American Revolution in self-government was a Lockean revolution, and its renewal is inconceivable apart from the religious ideals that gave it birth.

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What the Left and the Right Get Wrong About Liberalism - Heritage.org

Were so ready to party, and in case the long lockdown has made us nervous about entertaining again two experienced Lancaster hosts are here to help.

First, theres John Moeller, White House chef during three presidencies and now owner of Greenfield Restaurant and Catering, as well as an enthusiastic at-home host for family and friends.Then theres Donna Landis, who never hesitates to throw a party, be it for a crowd of members of Lancaster Newcomers & Neighbors, the womens group she co-founded in the 1990s, or her own extensive family.

Both warn not to stress over a party. It is supposed to be fun, for the guests and for you.

Accordingly, DONT obsess about details, and, for heavens sake, DONT drink too much before and during the party, Moeller says.

DONT try to make everything Pinterest perfect. Instead DO focus on the things that bring you most joy, be it cooking or prettifying the house. If, for example, you love crafting a pretty centerpiece, DO so, but DONT bore guests with a long tale of how you did it.

DONT wear yourself out cleaning house before a party. Pick up, yes, but guests really wont mind that pile of mail on the desk or the toys that kept your toddler occupied while you made the deviled eggs.

DO consider guests tastes in food, religious dietary restrictions and allergies, Moeller warns.

I had to do that whenever dignitaries descended on the White House, but its a valid concern for the home host as well, he says.

Landis agrees. I always make sure theres a mix of foods to suit all tastes and restrictions, she says. I include dishes that vegetarians and devotees of gluten-free can enjoy, and I make sure there are alternatives for those who dont eat seafood.

DO focus on hospitality, making your guests feel welcome. Guests dont need to be impressed. They need to feel a connection, says Landis, chuckling as she tells of some of her free-wheeling parties.

I have hosted parties in the backyard, the garage, even in the basement, she says.

For Thanksgiving this year, she planned to set up three tables: one in the kitchen, one in the dining room and one in the living room. Paper plates are an option to cut down on washing dishes, she says.

DONT feel like everything has to be the best of the best, Landis says. Thats what keeps you from entertaining more often. DO feel free to serve something store-bought and DO be receptive when guests offer to bring something, but make sure to keep track of whatever they plan to bring. You DONT need 30 plates of cookies. The more control you have, the better the party.

Of course, a super chef like Moeller offers food advice.

DONT try a new recipe when having guests over, he says. Unless you are an accomplished cook. Using tried-and-true recipes will help you feel confident and ensures you wont have any mishaps. DO try to cook as much as possible before the party, so all you have to do is heat things up and add finishing touches.

Landis agrees. She likes to prepare dishes that she can just pop in the oven come party time. And DO be flexible, she says. The food doesnt always have to be fancy. DONT make all recipes that require a lot of hands-on time. You want some energy left for your guests. And if something goes wrong with dinner, just go with it. Improvise, or if that doesnt work, order in pizza. DO laugh it off and move on.

If it isnt a sit-down dinner, DONT place the food in one place. DO set up at least two food stations, preferably at opposite sides of a room, Moeller says. A food line at a party isnt a good thing. In a cocktail party setting, place food in many places to keep people moving and mixing.

Finally, DO keep the conversation civil.

The golden rule at our house is no talk of politics or religion, Landis says. And DONT talk about yourself too much. Youll seem much more interesting if you get your guests talking. DO ask them lots of questions, remember their answers, and then ask them follow-up questions, such as So whats next on your vacation bucket list?

Moeller agrees wholeheartedly.

DONT talk about politics, he says, adding that you really dont need a set topic.

After long COVID lockdowns and separations, therell be plenty to talk about, just catching up with each other.

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Hosting a holiday party this year? Follow these do's and don'ts - LNP | LancasterOnline

Each year, during the AIN FBO Survey, we receive comments aboutFBO staffers who go the extra mile to helptheir facilities offer a great experience. We acknowledge some of those individuals who contribute to enhancing their FBOsservice in our Above and Beyond listing.Below AIN editors Curt Epstein, Kerry Lynch, and Jerry Siebenmark provide a little more detail about some of the individuals who made the 2021 list.

Shannon Auty joined Aero-One Aviation in Dothan, Alabama, in March 2017. General manager Scott Capehart said Auty was a natural as a customer service representative (CSR), quickly becoming an expert in customer experience and service. She also quickly grasped the correlation between top-notch customer service and fuel sales, he said. Pilots love great customer service so in return they tend to buy more fuel, Auty said. She was promoted to CSR supervisor and given the role of social media coordinator for Aero-One Aviation and Aero-One Altitude because she was able to excel in all areas, Capehart added.

I love that our leadership trusts me with our social media and I get to be creative, Auty said. She added that she approaches her role with the understanding that building relationships and trust are key.

Shannon Auty, Customer Service Representative,Aero-One Aviation, KDHNShannon Auty, Customer Service Representative,Aero-One Aviation, KDHN

Katy Brink,Customer Service Representative, Atlantic Aviation, KMTJ

Eleven years ago and with no prior aviation experience, Katy Brink started working at Black Canyon Jet Center at Montrose Regional Airport (KMTJ) in Colorado. Playing with airplanes all day seemed like a pretty cool job, so I accepted it, said Brink, who was recruited for the job by a staffing agency. I was completely new to aviation but knew that I liked airplanes and was in awe of airports and radio communication. Since then, Brink said she has developed lasting relationships, especially with customers who come in annually for a hunting trip or to attend a film festival. I am happy to see them, she explained. Its not selling fuel or getting a paycheck. Its about the friendshipsand airplanes are cool too. Being a good CSR means developing relationships with each customer and knowing all about them. Sometimes I think I know my customers better than I know myself, Brink added. I can remember their stories and where they have been and what they have done. Its about paying attention to the details of each customer and their needs.

Katy Brink, Customer Service Representative,Atlantic Aviation, KMTJ

Amy Brothers, Customer Service Representative, Wilson Air, KCHA

Brothers has been with Wilson Air Center Chattanooga for more than five years, and in that time she has become an instrumental part of the locations customer service team. She believes in always going above and beyond for her customers and enjoys meeting new people every day at work. I treat every customer the same as I would want to be treated. If I can make our customers smile or make their day better in some way, then I am happy to do it. I hope everyone who visits our facility wants to return because they left happy and received excellent service.

Amy Brothers, Customer Service Representative, Wilson Air, KCHA

Jose Cabrera, General Manager, Signature Flight Support, KBCT

Cabrera, general manager of Signature Flight Supports Boca Raton, Florida facility, has been in aviation for more than 17 years and has experience with airlines, a fractional ownership provider, and the FBO arena.

Cabrera thrives in the challenging and ever-changing environment that aviation provides. My career goal is to make a significant positive impact within the aviation industry, he said. I strive to do so by always exhibiting the best attitude, innovation, attention to detail, and a proactive approach. I tell my customers, You can count on me anywhere and at any time.

Jose Cabrera, General Manager, Signature Flight Support, KBCT

Alexsandra Camargo,Brand Manager, Fontainebleau Aviation, KOPF

Camargo brings more than a decade of aviation experience to her role as brand manager for Fontainebleau Aviation. Her tasks include overseeing marketing, branding, communication, and client experience for the Florida-based FBO, and she focuses on sustaining it as the gateway to Miami by touting its capabilities.

Helping customers and solving their problems invigorates her. There is always a way to make it happen and I love finding solutions, she told AIN. When you visit our facility, there are high expectations on who we are and what Fontainebleau Aviation provides. I enjoy delivering upon that message.

Alexsandra Camargo, Brand Manager, Fontainebleau Aviation, KOPF

Kathy Cortez,Customer Service Representative, Pentastar Aviation, KPTK

Cortez has been a member of the Pentastar Aviation team for over 19 years, and her passion for aviation and desire to offer the best possible experience to the customer is what drives her. Her approach involves going above and beyond to keep the customer happy. She answers questions and resolves issues with a positive attitude, which in her opinion, is the best way to retain loyal customers. Pentastar reports that it is incredibly grateful to have Cortez as part of the team and looks forward to another 19 years with her.

Cathy Cortez, Customer Service Representative, Pentastar Aviation, KPTK

Rob Davis, FBO Supervisor/Tech, Gateway Aviation Services, KFFZ

When Rob Davis joined Gateway Aviation Services in Mesa, Arizona, in 2005, he was already seasoned in aircraft operations. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Davis served in both the U.S. and Japan. He began his commercial aviation service with DynAir before joining Swissport, where he was a fuel tech supervisor providing services for more than 13 airlines at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

He moved into business aviation in the mid-2000s and has now spent more than 15 years with Gateway Aviation Services as a line service specialist, line specialist lead, and FBO shift supervisor. To these roles, he brought not only extensive experience but a deep passion for aviation. This approach has made him a standout, earning him praise for going Above and Beyond.

Davis stresses that he strives to exceed the expectations of Gateways customers. Everyone is a VIP regardless of what airframe they operate, he said. I always make the crews and passengers feel appreciated for using our services. [My goal is] to have them depart with total satisfaction, a smile, and a long-lasting impression of great service.

Rob Davis, FBO Supervisor/Tech, Gateway Aviation Services, KFFZ

Danica Day, Customer Service Manager, TAC Air, KAPA

Day began her career with TAC Air as a customer service representative and after six years in that role, she was promoted to the customer service manager position at the chains Denver location. She believes that every day brings new challenges and experiences. I get excited every time I have the chance to prevent a potential customer issue, she said. Problem--solving is a huge aspect of customer service, and I feel that I see common-sense solutions when others tend to see the more complicated solutions.

Danica Day, Customer Service Manager, TAC Air, KAPA

Jenny Deitschman, Customer Service Representative, Meridian Hayward, KHWD

Jenny Deitschman, one of Meridian Haywards original employees, joined the team before its FBO opened in October 2016. After spending almost seven years post-high school fueling and parking aircraft at Californias Hayward Executive Airport, she took a leave to raise her family. But she remained passionate about aviation and returned to the field five years ago when she joined Meridian.

Her primary focus is on the customers, but she can be found supporting the FBO in multiple ways. We sometimes work line service as well, she said. We help out where needed. She said she looks at Meridian as being a family, adding, I like everything about the company and my job.

Meridian Hayward general manager Carlos Rodriguez said of Deitschman: Jennys love of aviation coupled with her outgoing personality and empathetic nature are just some of the qualities that make her a great CSR. She has the ability to connect with customers on a personal level and provide each customer with a unique, positive experience.

Jenny Deitschman, Customer Service Representative, Meridian Hayward, KHWD

Johanna Echeto, Customer Service Manager, Sheltair, KORL

Echeto has been part of the Sheltair team for five years. She joined as a customer service representative at Sheltair FLL and later earned a promotion to the customer service manager position at Sheltair ORL. She helped establish the first generation of base coaches and was involved in standardizing the companys best practices across the network. Her philosophy on exceeding customer expectations is all about having the right mindset.

Said Echeto: A positive attitude is vital in allowing us to prioritize an outstanding guest experience. Going above and beyond is to listen to our guests wants and needs to deliver the customized experience they expect. Once the culture of going the extra mile is established, its crucial to develop our teams to maintain our high level of service.

Johanna Echeto, Customer Service Manager, Sheltair, KORL

Jenna Emerizy,Customer Service Representative, McKinney Air Center, KTKI

Jenna Emerizy learned valuable lessons early in her career about supporting pilots and passengers alike, and she has applied this knowledge to her current role as a customer service representative at McKinney Air Center in McKinney, Texas.

She began her aviation career in Lake Charles, Louisiana, in 2014, spending three years at Freeman Jet Center. There, she handled everything from booking hotel rooms and reserving cars to catering assistance.

For Emerizy, good customer service is a matter of the Golden Rule. Customer service boils down to treating people how you want to be treated, and if you go that little extra mile, it leaves an imprint, she said.

Jenna Emerizy, Customer Service Representative, McKinney Air Center, KTKI

Amanda Ewers, Pilot, CSI Aviation, KABQ

Amanda Ewers liked working with a local, family-run business and said, it was the obvious choice for me to join as a CSR in 2016. The FBO supported her dream of becoming a pilot and in 2018, she received her multi-engine commercial license and was hired as a medevac pilot, maintaining both roles for the next several years.

I believe that being a pilot and working as a CSR helped give me a unique perspective in that I could think ahead to help pilots and passengers with service above and beyond what was expected because it was how I would like to be treated at any FBO I visited, Ewers said. With that in mind, I have found that the most important traits to be successful in the FBO business are to be kind and to have patience.

Amanda Ewers, Pilot, CSI Aviation, KABQ

Jonathan Garms,General Manager, Wilson Air, KHOU

As general manager of Wilson Airs facility at Houston Hobby Airport, Jonathan Garms is hands-on with the line technicians as well as the front desk. No matter what the task, he is there to help Its taking the time to go the extra mile for someone that shows you care, and Garms does that every day, not only with customers but also with the employees who serve alongside him.

Jonathan Garms, General Manager, Wilson Air, KHOU

Holly Hopkins, Customer Service Manager, Texas Jet, KFTW

Hopkins has been a member of the Texas Jet staff since 2003 and brought industry experience with her when she joined. She has received honors in several industry surveys and believes that when it comes to pleasing customers, its the little things that matter. Like just asking them how we treated them and what we can do better for them the next time; they just want to be noticed and heard, she told AIN. We try to do this better than anyone else and our Culture of Excellence is how we accomplish that.

According to Texas Jet founder and president Reed Pigman, Hopkins was instrumental in blending Ritz-Carltons Legendary Service into Texas Jets service and using it to form the basis of our Culture of Excellence.

Holly Hopkins, Customer Service Manager, Texas Jet, KFTW

Tyrell Jasperson,Line Service Technician, Sweetwater Aviation, KRKS

Jasperson joined the aviation industry in 2018 as an operations specialist at airport-operated Sweetwater Aviation at Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport, following nearly two decades as an ATV and snowmobile repair technician in his familys business. He received training as a ramp attendant, fuel man, and aviation rescue firefighter (ARFF) in his initiation to airport operations, along the way earning his ARFF, Wyoming EMR, and firefighter certifications.

He believes creating loyal customers from every interaction is the name of the game. Customer service begins with a warm smile and fond welcome plane-side, upon arrival, he told AIN. Escorting our guests to the FBO entrance, breaking the ice by answering any questions, receiving any instruction I can clearly communicate, and understanding the customers individual needs. By providing the most professional service and friendly atmosphere I can ensure a safe and pleasurable experience while visiting the Cowboy State.

Tyrell Jasperson, Line Service Technician, Sweetwater Aviation, KRKS

Venus Koenig, Customer Service Manager, Sheltair, KJAX

Koenig, who joined the Sheltair team five years ago, has 20 years of experience in the service industry. Starting as a customer service representative at Sheltair OCF and later promoted to customer service manager at Sheltair JAX, she heeds the words of Maya Angelou: Ive learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

The culture we instill at Sheltair Jacksonville is to treat everyone like guests in our home, Koenig said. Like family, we take a genuine interest in every guest by taking the time to really listen. Guests can feel the sincerity exude even behind our masks.

Venus Koenig, Customer Service Manager, Sheltair, KJAX

Kawai Lopez, Customer Service Manager, Monterey Jet Center (KMRY)

Kawai strongly believes in good old fashion customer service and welcoming everyone into the Monterey Jet Center family, according to the FBOs leaders. From appreciation events, surprise goodie bags, to throwing epic parties, she loves going the extra mile to make sure everyone has a memorable experience. She is the first one to brag about her customer service staff and loves Montereys annual Car Week because we get to show the world how awesome our team is.

Kawai Lopez, Customer Service Manager, Monterey Jet Center (KMR

Aaron Pederson, Line Service Supervisor, Premier Jet Center, KFCM

Pederson has been a member of the staff at Minneapolis-area Premier Jet Center since 2009. His current role as a line supervisor allows him to demonstrate his leadership and direction in delivering safe and reliable aviation services to the FBOs clients, and he makes a point to know each customer and his or her personal preferences.

Always looking to problem-solve and get the job done before he leaves every day, he brings positive energy to the team and serves as a mentor to new employees. He is also known for aircraft positioning and is considered to be a hangar-stacking magician.

Aaron Pederson, Line Service Supervisor, Premier Jet Center, KFCM

Carlos Robins, Line Service Supervisor, Banyan Air Service, KFXE

When Carlos Robinss career in aviation began 10 years ago, a Banyan Air Service employee saw potential in him and encouraged him to join the team. Robins determined that Banyan was a good fit for him and joined the Fort Lauderdale, Florida FBO as a line service technician in 2014. Shortly after that, he was promoted to line service supervisor and he has continued to grow in that role, attending safety and leadership classes.

Bayan executives highlight his incredible attention to detail and his efforts to get to know and build relations with customers. Carlos is an expert in anticipating customers needs. He takes the time to learn each persons likes and dislikes and will go out of his way to provide assistance even when he is not at work, Banyan executives said.

He also is a go-to person for fellow teammates, they added. As a supervisor, what my job means to me is building those relationships with our customers and internal customers, Robins said.

Carlos Robins, Line Service Supervisor, Banyan Air Service, KFXE

Jessica Rowden, General Manager, Cutter Aviation, KABQ

Jessica Rowden pursued a degree in secondary education at Missouri Southern State College but in the early 2000s developed an interest in aviation that has led to a 16-year career at Cutter Aviation. Rowden joined the FBO chains location as a guest services representative at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in January 2005. By the following summer, she had already earned a promotion to facility manager at Cutters Phoenix Deer Valley location and the next year she was stepping in as general manager of its Colorado Springs location. In 2014, she moved into her current position as general manager in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

As she has grown as a professional and guided the New Mexico facility, she has branched into industry advocacy and charity, serving on boards and becoming involved with NBAA Schedulers and Dispatchers, Women in Aviation, Wounded Warriors, Ephraim Orphan Foundation, and High Hopes for Colorado.

My goal has always been to work hard to build meaningful relationships with both my guests and my team, as I feel those relationships are the key to any success or failure, Rowden said of her approach to managing the FBO. For me, Cutter Aviations core values of family, friendship, honesty, trust, and respect are not just words on a wall, they are tenets that my team and I strive to provide to our guests with each interaction.

Jessica Rowden, General Manager, Cutter Aviation, KABQ

Yulyanna Silva, Brand Ambassador Supervisor, Business Jet Center, KDAL

After holding roles in digital media and promotions, Yulyanna Silva looked to bring her skills to business aviation. And, when she interviewed for a position at Business Jet Center, we knew she was different, said Cat Wren, CEO of the Dallas FBO. We often say you can teach anyone to do a job, but you cannot teach someone to care. Silva showed those qualities, joining Business Jet Center in 2018, initially as a customer service representative and then as brand ambassador and brand ambassador supervisor.

Since her start, Yuly has quickly learned the ropes and has excelled at multiple roles within the company, Wren said. Her passion for people and genuine attitude shine with our customers and her fellow coworkers. She truly understands that listening to the customer, taking action, and communicating are key to creating an experience for all who come through our doors.

Yulyanna Silva, Brand Ambassador Supervisor, Business Jet Center, KDAL

Bernie Spencer, Customer Service Representative, Sheltair, KDAB

With over 12 years of commercial aviation experience, Spencer has been part of the Sheltair Daytona Beach staff for five years as a customer service representative. She feels that going above and beyond means making sure that the guest is happy and satisfiedand then go extra. The extra sugar coating is what we try to do to make our guests leave happier than expected and come back because they had such a sweet experience.

Bernie Spencer, Customer Service Representative, Sheltair, KDAB

Ysabella Tetley, Customer Service Manager, Henriksen Jet Center, KTME

After serving as a lead preschool teacher, Ysabella Tetley made her jump into a business aviation career in 2018 at the Henriksen Jet Center in Houston, initially as a customer service representative and now as a customer service manager. Promoted to her current role in August 2020, Tetley is viewed by her managers as an absolute rock star for the drive, pride, and joy she brings to her position.

One of her strongest abilities is how she keeps things very positive, even during those tough conversations with customers and employees, said executive director Andrew Perry. The Henriksen Jet Center team and I are very proud of her and glad to have her as a leader in the organization.

Tetley stresses that she enjoys each day and is thankful for the friendships she has made during her time there. I always aim to go the second mile when interacting with our customers and view the level of service they receive as a direct reflection of my own work ethic, she said. I believe this goes hand in hand with loving your job and being prideful about the company you work for.

Ysabella Tetley, Customer Service Manager, Henriksen Jet Center, KTME

Pat Walter, Line Service Technician, Signature Flight Support, KMSP

Walter has been employed at Signature Flight Support for 34 years, working his way up to shift lead at the companys Minneapolis location, and he is well respected by customers as well as his fellow employees.

When asked what he does to go above and beyond, he simply states, Its all about the great team here at MSP and simply treating people the way you would like to be treated.

Pat Walter, Line Service Technician, Signature Flight Support, KMSP

Sara Zarate,Customer Service Representative American Aero FTW

Sara Zarate joined the team at American Aero FTW at Texass Fort Worth Meacham International Airport with a background in hospitality and was hired based on her ability to build relationships and anticipate customer needs.

For Zarate, making personal connections is one of the most important facets of the job. That includes learning the names of every guest, because it makes people feel valued, acknowledged, and seen, she said.

American Aero officials said Zarates qualities include an upbeat personality, kindness, and a detail-oriented approach to her work.

Sara Zarate, Customer Service RepresentativeAmerican Aero FTW

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Above and Beyond | Business Aviation News - Aviation International News

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Diversity and inclusion are talked about a lot these days in the workplace. Thats because diversity is both an ethical imperative for your business and a means to reinvigorate your bottom line.

Building a diverse and innovative workplace if possible for small- to medium-sized enterprises (SME) that adopt some inclusive best practices. Among these is hosting cross-cultural awareness training across the whole of your business.

Cross-cultural awareness training can allow you to optimize your own business for success. However, you must understand the importance of getting this training right if you are to reap the benefits youre looking for. In this article, we explore how cross-cultural awareness training benefits the workplace and how you can better educate your own employees for inclusivity.

Global demographics are changing. In the United States, for instance, ethnic minorities are increasingly making up a larger portion of the workforce, and yet, theyre still underrepresented in leadership positions.

At the same time, the research is clear on the benefits of diversity for businesses that hire more equitably. For instance, diverse executive teams tended to outperform their more homogenous peers by as much as 33%. In addition, diverse teams showed 19% more revenue from innovation.

At this stage in the pandemic economy, it is more important than ever to invest in diversity to support your businesss ability to scale, innovate, and understand its customer base. Diversity and inclusion quite simply give your business the benefit of additional perspectives. When it comes to innovation, this is never a bad thing.

Thats why, time and time again, the data has shown positive outcomes for businesses that have an executive suite that is more representative of the larger public. Diversity optimizes a business for success by fostering empathy and developing an internal company culture that truly places its priorities on its people.

To get there, however, provide your teams with effective cross-cultural awareness training that demonstrates the importance of cross-cultural awareness in the global marketplace.

With cross-cultural awareness training, a workforce comes to recognize the ways they might consciously or unconsciously categorize and stereotype their co-workers and customers. the range of cross-cultural signifiers and various identities represented in the workplace will be broad. To ensure that everyone understands one another well enough to work effectively together, it helps have the benefit of perspective exploration.

This is what cross-cultural awareness is all about. An awareness of other cultures allows you to put yourself in the place of another and imagine what life might be like for them. This is a good standard not only for following the Golden Rule of treating others as you want to be treated but for understanding an audience, as well.

Research shows that cultural differences tend to correlate with sets of shared values and even behaviors. From a business analytics perspective, that is a gold mine. When you assemble a culturally diverse and inclusive team, you gain the ability to apply these perspectives seamlessly across your workflow. In turn, all kinds of opportunities emerge.

For an SME, having a workforce trained in cultural awareness can help you cultivate exactly the kind of working environment you need to be successful. These are the opportunities that follow as a result:

So with an understanding of how important it is to develop a culturally aware workforce, you can begin to explore your options for providing comprehensive training. This means a program that covers everything from international cultures to generational oneslike the difference in values between Baby Boomers and Gen Z.

Cross-cultural awareness training is essential for any company wanting to improve its inclusion standards. To implement training that will really stick with a workforce, youll have to follow a set of best practices, designed to improve the success of inclusive training.

These are just a few of the methods you can employ when finding or developing the right training program for your team:

By following these tips, you can better implement effective training. As a result, youll find its easier to cultivate the kind of engaging, inclusive workplace that readily innovates and grows.

Cross-cultural awareness is one of the most important aspects of a healthy and productive workforce. For a more ethical and knowledgeable workplace, implement awareness training that engages workers and helps them gain insight into a broader human experience. This means training that showcases the value of inclusion and helps workers prevent painful cultural faux pas.

A diverse workplace is optimized for success, so lay the groundwork for that success now with cross-cultural awareness training.

By Indiana Lee, BOSS contributor

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The Importance of Cross-Cultural Awareness Training in the Workplace - BOSS Magazine

When Brunswick residents Jim Grant and Amy Wells stepped into the next frontier of their lives by getting married earlier this month, they did so with an in-person blessing from Capt. Kirk himself, William Shatner.

Ive been a lifelong Star Trek fan, said Grant, who serves as the vice-chair of the Region 10 school board. For me, it was my bible. There are morality tales in Star Trek that you can learn to live your life by, and so Ive tried to emulate some of those finer points.

In addition to his most famous role as Star Treks Capt. James T. Kirk, Shatner is known for other roles in productions like Rescue 911, T.J. Hooker, Boston Legal and The Twilight Zone. He is also a recording artist, author, screenwriter and director.

In October, the 90-year-old celeb made headlines after becoming the oldest person to ever reach the final frontier when he flew on an 11-minute suborbital space flight aboard a Blue Origin capsule.

With around 150 people in attendance, Grants wedding took place about two weeks ago at a hotel in Ticonderoga, New York the home of a Star Trek history museum.

Positioned behind an altar that served as a prop on the original Star Trek set, Shatner delivered some opening remarks, and then recited his original lines from a 55-year-old wedding ceremony scene featured in the episode Star Trek: The Balance of Terror.

Since the days of the first wooden vessels, all shipmasters have had one happy privilege, and that is uniting two people in the bonds of matrimony, said Shatner, reading from the script. And so, we are gathered here today with you, James, and you, Amy, in a sight of your fellows, in accordance with our laws and our many beliefs so that you may pledge your love to one another. Please kiss the bride.

Grant met Shatner in 2017 during an event at the museum in Ticonderoga. In 2020, the Brunswick couple both who are longtime fans reconnected with Shatner in an online meet and greet while quarantining amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

While Wells and Grant were together for around 10 years prior to the wedding, Grant said officially tying the knot was put on the sidelines due to a personal health issue. During the video call, Shatner inquired about when Grant and Wells will be getting married.

Jokingly I said: Well I told my friends Ill get married when William Shatner is at my wedding. And he said: Well, lets do it, Grant recalled. He wanted to promote a message of love between people. You know, love as in a marriage, love as in friendship, just loving each other as human beings and to perpetuate that message.

The museum and tour company in Ticonderoga is called Star Trek: Original Series Set Tour, and according to the website, the collection draws fans from around the world. Exhibits include recreations of what remains from sets of the original Star Trek television show, which was canceled in 1969.

Reflecting on the many takeaways from the award-winning Star Trek series, Grant said that one major theme cementing him as lifelong fan aligns with the message of The Golden Rule.

I think that the general themes that they try to hit is that regardless of our differences, we all deserve respect, and you should care about anyone, whether theyre a close friend or a stranger, said Grant. To go out of his way to do that for us, you know, people that he briefly met online, just kind of shows what kind of guy he is.

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Shatner beams down to Brunswick Trekkies' wedding - Portland Press Herald - pressherald.com