Melissa Correa’s Post

I mean, honestly, the Houston Airport System is made up of an incredible group of hardworking men and women who deliver - even in a hurricane. This article deserves to be a lot better, a lot longer and lot more detailed than it currently is. Maybe I'll have time to add to it in the near future. But in the challenge of pumping out media advisories and other crucial information over the last 72 hours, I couldn't end the immediate "crisis mode" without celebrating the people who make airports possible. #TeamHoustonAirports sent Communications photos of preparations before the storm. And, we witnessed the work it took for Houston's airports to resume operations in a matter of 4 hours. That's the Spirit of Houston for you! Wow! In the days after Beryl, my hope is stories of compassion, commitment and camaraderie throughout Houston Airports rise to the surface. In the wake of devastation its vital to spotlight the dedication of awe-inspiring airport workers who help to make our world go 'round. ✈️🌎 https://lnkd.in/gGT_9JiW

TIME IS PRECIOUS, USE IT WISELY: We hear that often, huh? When it comes to work, deadlines, projects, meetings, and responsibilities can keep us all pretty busy. I often devour my lunch at my desk so I can squeese in *one more* Teams meeting or chip away at *one more* thing someone else desperately needs. Time is precious, use it wisely. Yesterday at 1 p.m., our team took time to celebrate Brian DeMarco. He and his wife are about to welcome their third child into this incredible world. Our awesome team enjoyed a sugar rush and shared in laughter and an opportunity to connect. So fun! I will admit that it's sometimes uncomfortable for me to use a conference room for a party rather than a serious meeting. But this week, I had the rare gift of listening to Kelly Woodward, our fearless COO, talk about the trajectory of her 'wow-worthy' career, and she shared two things I hadn't considered in my work life: 1) Her mother was her mentor and role model. "Work hard and do right by people," Kelly shared, and 2) Time is precious. As busy as Kelly is running Houston's airports, she will always make time for the people who matter because time is precious. So I pose this question: time is precious; are you using it wisely? Are you leaning into the people who matter and make your work life better? Are you prioritizing people over tasks and deadlines? Are you truly connecting with others or do you simply see your team as a cog in the wheel? I challenge us all to find a reason to celebrate together because time is precious.

First comes the paint, then come the planes! Some of the progress IAH passengers don’t see. Can’t wait for our next phase of the new international terminal to officially take flight THIS SUMMER!!! ✈️

MINDSET MATTERS | I'm still relatively new to 'city government' life. God willing, I'll celebrate 2 years with Houston Airports in August. 🥳 I'm not sure how long my career with the airports will be, but I know when it will be time to leave. 😬 It will be time to leave when I hear these words come out of my mouth: "This is how we've always done it." Those words signal that my creativity, passion, and excitement for innovating have disappeared, and all that remains is an obvious routine. I cringe when I hear people say that now. And I suspect, if I ever utter the words, I may literally feel my own heart drop; my spirit sink. When Kelly Woodward sparked the idea of an online conversation with airport employees Travis Hallum said: YES! Our Communications team had never done anything like this. José Santos Augusto Bernal and Mizzael Avila wired the set, checked the mics and lit that puppy up for primetime! Travis - our only team member dedicated to Internal Communications for an organization of 1,200 employees - produced and directed, edited a show open, and figured out the flow of the show! I helped fill in the blanks. Molly Waits gave us the room to fly on a first-ever project and offered support and resources when we needed them! (I think a sweet streaming camera is now in the works!😉) To top it off, our small **but mighty** Comms team received rave reviews! Success is the culmination of creativity, passion, excitement, and teamwork. To truly reap the rewards, you need innovation, attempts, failure, and risk. Could you imagine what would have been lost, what connections wouldn't have been made, and all the morale that wouldn't have been boosted if Travis simply said, " In my 20 years with Houston Airports, we've never done that. So we're not going to start now!" I don't want to imagine. So, as we stroll into the weekend before we prepare to return to work, I ask: When will you know that it's time for your career change? What words—rooted in fear and not love—will signal to you that a change is necessary?

GOOD VIBES 😎 | I love this philosophy among the team at the Houston Airport System: “You can’t make everyone’s day, but perhaps you can make someone’s day." It's how 'Houston Friendly' hospitality became the signature of our award-winning airports. Thank you to Joshua Samic, Andrew Czobor, and Mark McClintock, MBA, IAP, C.M., for helping to shine a light on the dozens of Customer Service Representatives who endeavor to meet the needs of all passengers every single day. ❤️ https://lnkd.in/g_G4N5MG

'Back-to-back-to-back' | What a proud moment for the 1,200 Houston Airport System employees as Mayor Whitmire and the Houston City Council accepted 4 gold plaques from the 2024 Skytrax World Airport Awards. “Houston is a global city and we deserve to have incredible airports," said Martha Castex-Tatum while thanking city employees for their hard work. "For us to have 193 destinations, we will remain a global city. But we have to be able to move people in and out of the city seamlessly. And we are doing that. Skytrax got it right.” Way to represent #TeamHAS Jim Szczesniak, MBA, A.A.E, Kelly Woodward and Liliana Rambo, IAP, CM, CAPP 🤗 https://lnkd.in/gKqmHTFy

To my TV connections: It’s hot. It’s humid. Maybe you’re battling a manager for some PTO. Maybe you’re working the early morning or weekend shift. Maybe you’re over your job… but you LOVE telling stories!!! There’s hope! My friend Lexi Herrera is looking to grow her team!!! Here’s another option::::

We are getting close!!! From Custodians to Airlines, more and more of the Houston Airport System team and stakeholders are touring our new D-West Pier in anticipation of this summer’s opening! https://lnkd.in/gYvuiKZd

Actions speak louder than words | Thrilled to spotlight the behind-the-scenes Houston Airport System employees who used their skills to thank our military members and their families. What I love about this story even more?! How it ended up on my radar. A supervisor alerted his bosses to what was happening. His bosses raised it up the flag pole to Liliana Rambo, IAP, CM, CAPP and Andrew Czobor and others, who quickly shared it with Jim Szczesniak, MBA, A.A.E and Kelly Woodward. Within minutes of receiving it, Director Szczesniak forwarded the email to HAS Communications. We jumped at the chance to share the random act of kindness that continues to inspire. May we each find ways to emulate our military service members by having integrity, respect, honor, and pride in our work.