LAX EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEER REACH A REMARKABLE MILESTONE – A COMBINED TOTAL OF 135 YEARS OF EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE

CONTACT: Gail Gaddi (424) 646-7450 LAX EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEER REACH A REMARKABLE MILESTONE – A COMBINED TOTAL OF 135 YEARS OF EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE (Los Angeles, California – November 17, 2016)Honoring three employees truly dedicated to providing exceptional experiences at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), today Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) recognized Ethel Pattison, an airport information specialist and LAX historian with 60 years of service; Kenji Williams, skycap for G2 Secure Staff and Delta Air Lines with 50 years of service; and Opal Pearson, a Volunteer Information Professional with 25 years of service. "I am simply amazed at the level of dedication shown by these three employees,” said LAWA Chief Executive Officer Deborah Flint. “To have that kind of passion for a job is inspiring, and Ethel, Kenji and Opal exemplify the kind of service we strive for at LAX. During their combined total of 135 years of service, they have seen and been a part of tremendous change and growth here at LAX and in the aviation industry. We are so lucky to have them as members of the LAWA family.” "I speak on behalf of my fellow commissioners when I say how fortunate we are to have employees at LAX who are so dedicated to making a difference," said Board of Airport Commissioners President Sean Burton. “It’s hard to image waking up and going to the same job every day for 25, 50 even 60 years - but ask Ethel, Kenji and Opal, and they’ll tell you they can’t imagine not working at LAX and for that loyalty to the organization and our travelers, we are grateful.” Known as “America’s First Airport Tour Guide”, Pattison has welcomed countless dignitaries, celebrities and visitors to both LAX and the Flight Path Learning Center. She started her career with the Department of Airports public relations staff in January 1956 as an airport guide and was hired to develop the LAX tour and education program for schools and service organizations. Pattison, a fixture at the Flight Path Learning Center, supervises the operations and exhibits, and is active in coordinating audiovisual productions, editing informational materials, conducting tours, assisting news media and overseeing special events. She is past president of the United Airlines Clipped Wings, an organization of former stewardesses and flight attendants, and was honored with distinguished service awards from the national organization and its Los Angeles chapter. She has been active with the International Special Olympics, the South Bay Vocational Center for the physically challenged, and USC alumni activities. “I’ve loved working at LAX for all these years because I am so proud of my airport and enjoy working with the staff and seeing all the happy smiles on our visitors’ faces. I’ve worked here this long because when you are still having fun at LAX, why not?!” Pattison shared. Kenji Williams has provided 50 years of outstanding service at LAX. He began his career in January 1967 as a customer service representative with Western Airlines and served for 20 years. He then joined Delta Airlines as a skycap for 22 years and has worked for G2 Secure Staff as a skycap since April 2008. During his tenure, Mr. Williams has also worked on the ramp, in the commissary, and as a ticket and gate agent. Called “Captain Kenji” by many, Williams is known for his outstanding professionalism, proficiency and reliability as an industrious, loyal and dedicated employee with a humorous and fun-loving personality. His personal highlights include writing poetry and carrying the torch during the 1996 Olympics which ultimately was handed off to Muhammad Ali. “I take great pride in representing two great companies – Delta Airlines and G2 Secure Staff – by rendering excellent customer service at LAX. The truth is, I've never ‘worked’ a day in my life as I am truly enjoying the journey!” Williams stated. Opal Pearson has volunteered at LAX for 25 years in Terminal 5 with her delightful, pleasant and positive personality. Her charm and dedication to offering exceptional experiences has garnered lasting contacts with guests form around the world, who still, after 10 years, contact her when they fly through LAX. She will celebrate her 95th birthday on Christmas day. Pearson shared, “My favorite thing about volunteering is the opportunity to meet people as I still keep in touch with many people I’ve assisted at LAX. The secret to long life is to do everything with moderation and dedicate yourself to what you are interested in.” Pearson shared, “My favorite thing about volunteering is the opportunity to meet people as I still keep in touch with many people I’ve assisted at LAX. The secret to long life is to do everything with moderation and dedicate yourself to what you are interested in.” # # # # # About Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)LAX is the seventh busiest airport in the world and third in the United States. LAX served more than 74.9 million passengers in 2015. LAX offers 742 daily nonstop flights to 101 cities in the U.S. and 1,273 weekly nonstop flights to 76 cities in 41 countries on 64 commercial air carriers. LAX ranks 14th in the world and fifth in the U.S. in air cargo tonnage processed, with more than 2.1 million tons of air cargo valued at over $101.4 billion. LAX handled 655,564 operations (landings and takeoffs) in 2015. An economic study based on 2014 operations reported LAX generated 620,610 jobs in Southern California with labor income of $37.3 billion and economic output (business revenues) of more than $126.6 billion. This activity added $6.2 billion to local and state revenues and $8.7 billion in federal tax revenues. The study also reported that LAX’s ongoing capital-improvement program creates an additional 121,640 annual jobs with labor income of $7.6 billion and economic output of $20.3 billion, $966 million in state and local taxes, and $1.6 billion in federal tax revenues. LAX is part of a system of two Southern California airports – along with Van Nuys general aviation – that are owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports, a proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles that receives no funding from the City’s general fund. For more information about LAX, please visit www.lawa.aero/lax or follow on Twitter @flyLAXAirport, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LAInternationalAirport, and on YouTube at www.YouTube.com/laxairport1. Information about LAX’s ongoing multi-billion-dollar LAX Modernization Program, as well as tips and shortcuts to help navigate LAX during construction, are available at www.LAXisHappening.com. As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. Alternative formats in large print, braille, audio, and other forms (if possible) will be provided upon request. Kenji Williams celebrates 50 years of exceptional service at Los Angeles International Airport as a skycap for G2 Secure Staff and Delta Air Lines. Known to many as “Captain Kenji”, he began his career in January 1967 as a customer service representative with Western Airlines and served for 20 years. He then joined Delta Airlines as a skycap for 22 years and has worked for G2 Secure Staff as a skycap since April 2008. Los Angeles World Airports honored three exceptional superstars (from left) Opal Pearson, Volunteer Information Professional with 25 years of service; Kenji Williams, skycap for G2 Secure Staff and Delta Air Lines with 50 years of service; and Ethel Pattison, airport information specialist and LAX historian with 60 years. Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) recognized three exceptional superstars with a combined total of 135 years. Pictured are (from left) Captain Kenji Williams with 50 years of service and Opal Pearson, Volunteer Information Professional with 25 years of service.