Two individuals with the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) received special recognition at the Tourism of Greater Cincinnati’s 23rd Annual Rose Awards Banquet.
Valarie Teague received the Rose Award last year and was inducted into the Jim Knippenberg Hall of Fame this year. Cliff Wartman received the Rose Award this year.
Valarie Teague, the airport’s leader for the airport ambassador program, was honored based on the unforgettable impression she has left on countless guests over her 27 years of service at CVG. Teague is the guiding hand for CVG’s 120-plus volunteers who work the information counters throughout CVG to field passengers’ questions.
“Anyone who has met Valarie knows that she quietly exceeds customer expectations through quick and meaningful action,” said Candace McGraw, chief executive officer at CVG. “She truly embodies the ‘Midwestern charm’ of CVG, and we get to celebrate her personal touch, expertise and compassion as she receives this honor. We’re incredibly proud of her and grateful to be counted among her many friends.”
Among several service excellence events, one particular stands out for Valarie. A flight had to make an emergency diversion from another airport due to weather, landing safely at CVG in the early morning hours. This created an unexpected experience for 150-plus passengers.
Teague assisted many passengers, ensuring their needs were met, and took special care of a mother traveling with an infant to make sure she had enough diapers, wipes and baby food.
Chaplain Cliff Wartman received the Rose Award for his 22 years as a volunteer ambassador at CVG. His dedication, cheerful attitude and compassion have been an important asset to CVG.
Wartman understands that each person has a different purpose for their travel, whether it be a wedding, meeting a new grandchild or grieving the loss of a loved one. Each circumstance bares an empathetic response and Wartman is there to offer a listening ear, warm hug or shoulder to cry on.
“Our community is fortunate to have Cliff share his many talents with visitors each and every week,” said McGraw. “He has spent literally thousands of hours working every part of the airport, particularly as chaplain in the interfaith/meditation room.”
Wartman recounts memories from 9/11:
“I remember the first couple of people coming up the jet way from New York on 9/11,” Wartman said. “They asked, ‘why are we here?’ I took them aside and explained. A group of kids were heading to Chicago and had no way to get there. We sat and prayed together.”
The annual ROSE (Recognition of Service Excellence) Awards recognize the stars of the community’s hospitality industry – front-line employees who provide excellent service to positively influence a visitor’s experience. Rose award nominations were submitted by employees and immediate supervisors. This year’s event was celebrated at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center on Thursday, April 28.
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