Rich Burkhardt was named the KAAMCO Cargo Committee Person of the Year. From left: David Vance, Brian Cooley, John Gemmell.

Each year, members from KAAMCO’s Cargo Committee Board (an association of station managers of all scheduled airlines operating into and out of JFK International Airport) get together to nominate employees within the industry for its Person of the Year award, which highlights the relentless efforts of one individual. The recipient is diligent in their work, hands-on in their leadership, and represents all that the airline cargo industry is about: quality service. This year’s honoree, Richard Burkhardt, General Manager of Cargo Services for American Airlines Cargo, covered all those areas and more.

"A well-deserving candidate, Rich shows a devotion to the company, his fellow employees and the overall mission to provide quality solutions to our customers' needs," said David Vance, American Airlines Cargo, Vice President, Operations.

Burkhardt was honored by a wide array of board members from other airlines, freight companies, and vending services at KAAMCO’s 40th annual Holiday Dinner Dance yesterday, Friday, December 7. Held at The Royalton at Lawrence Yacht and Country Club in Lawrence, New York, the annual event was the prefect platform to look back on a year of productivity and advancement within the industry and company, including the individual efforts, such as Rich’s, that made this year a success.