Cheryl has held multiple titles during her twenty-two years at JFK Airport; Ground Transportation Agent, Human Resources, Finance Clerk, and Executive Administrative Assistant, just to name a few. Cheryl began her career with Royal Waste Services in 2006 and quickly realized how important community service was to the company’s mission, it was a perfect fit for her. Cheryl represents Royal Waste Services as an active member of Kiwanis Club of LaGuardia Airport, the JFK Rotary Club, The Boy Scouts of America – Aviation Board, and the JFK Chapels Bishop Wright Board.
Cheryl is an LGA Kiwanis Distinguished Past President (3rd Year Term) and was recently re-elected as President of the LGA Kiwanis Club.
While it seems like she has a lot on her plate, she is happy to be making a difference for the children and local Queens communities.
Cheryl’s son Kevon is studying computer science at York College. Her personal motto is “No matter what job you do, be your best at that job.” Cheryl’s unwavering support of local civic associations and the airport community is proof that she really does live by these words.
1 Tell us about the LaGuardia Airport Kiwanis Club and about the volunteer work it does in the local airport communities.
The LaGuardia Airport Kiwanis is part of a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world “one child and one community at a time.” It is a great honor that my LGA Kiwanis family has once again elected me to lead our club, this is my third term as President.
We have many local projects including, the Valentine’s Day Senior Project, the Garden School Writing Program, Kids Day at LGA, the Book Donation to Children & Seniors, and the Tim Pierce Scholarship Program at Vaughn College. Not to mention we have one Circle K Club at Vaughn College & Key Clubs at Aviation High School, The Garden School, and Newtown High School.
It is important to note that the annual LGA Kiwanis Charity Ball is the only fundraiser we have each year.
2 You are well known as a very dedicated volunteer in our community. What other organizations are you part of?
I joined the JFK Rotary Club first because Joe Morra, my General Manager at Royal Waste and club President at the time, was preparing a presentation for an upcoming club meeting and I offered to help. That’s all it took! After attending only five meetings I was hooked and wanted to help as much as I could.
The way I joined the LGA Kiwanis Club was slightly different, I started attending club meetings for Angelo Reali, one of the owners of Royal Waste Service, Inc. I would take notes during meetings and report back to him. Soon after I became a member of the club representing Royal Waste Services. I then joined the Boy Scouts of America Queens Board, and the JFK Christ for the World Chapel Board, and I assist with the JFK Chamber of Commerce.
Volunteering makes me feel good, so it makes sense for me to volunteer as much as I can.
3 What do you love most about serving the community through your volunteer work, and the local organizations you belong to?
Volunteering gives me the satisfaction of improving someone else’s life, helping people who may not be able to help themselves, especially children. Volunteering is a way for me to give back to my community while developing social skills and gaining valuable work experience.
Volunteering has provided me with a healthy boost of self-confidence, self-esteem, and great personal satisfaction. Seeing firsthand how the community benefits from our hard work provides me with a great sense of accomplishment. My role as a volunteer is a major part of who I am and I am very proud of the work we do.
4 How did you get your professional start at the airport, and what is your current role?
I started at the Airport in 1988 and was working for Hudson General with the Ground Transportation Counter Program. After that, I started working for AMR Services, which is the parent company of American Airlines, and then I worked for Worldwide Flight Services.
I am currently a Project Manager with Royal Waste Services Inc. and work on the CWM LEEDs Report for the construction company portion of the projects that Royal Waste is involved with. I’m also an Issuing Officer for both JFK & LGA. I have been with Royal Waste Services for more than 15 years and consider them my second family, between work and volunteering most of my time is spent with my Royal Family.
5 What is some advice you would give to someone trying to break into the airport business world?
If you are interested in a career within the airport business world, you need to be prepared for a very fast-moving, ever-changing, yet exciting industry of dedicated aviation professionals. Be willing to work hard, be loyal, honest, reliable, and respectful. And always be straightforward in your business dealings.
