TSA Officer Jovanna Mendez at work at LaGuardia Airport.
Photo Courtesy Of TSA
A Transportation Security Administration officer who works at LaGuardia Airport last week was selected as TSA’s Officer of the Year for 2014 among the 45,000 TSA officers nationwide.
Master Behavior Detection Officer Jovanna Mendez spent time this year serving at both Westchester County and LaGuardia airports. She began her TSA career at John F. Kennedy International Airport in 2012 before transferring to Westchester, where she worked from October 2012 through July 2014. She applied for a promotion at LaGuardia, where she has worked since August of this year.
“Officer Mendez is the type of TSA officer who others look to model,” said TSA Federal Security Director Dan Ronan.
According to the TSA, one such example of Mendez’s model work ethic occurred when she observed an elderly woman in the airport who appeared to be distraught. Mendez approached the passenger and engaged her in conversation to see if that might help ease her anxiety. The woman was travelling alone and was apprehensive and unsure about the screening process and upcoming flight. Mendez treated the passenger to a cup of coffee, stayed with the woman and explained the entire process from airline check-in to checkpoint screening to boarding the aircraft and what would happen during the flight. While on break, Mendez then walked the elderly woman through the process and personally handed her off to the airline gate agent.
Ronan added, “Officer Mendez repeatedly has demonstrated genuine concern and respect for passengers and co-workers…”
By Forum Staff
