Albany International Airport Honored

NYSID Names Albany County Airport Authority Customer of the Year

Albany International Airport to be honored for creating employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities

Albany, NY – New York State Industries for the Disabled, Inc. (NYSID) has named the Albany County Airport Authority its 2014 Customer of the Year for providing jobs for numerous individuals with disabilities. NYSID will present the award during its Annual Meeting on Monday, September 8 at 5 p.m. at The Saratoga Hilton in Saratoga Springs.

 

That evening, NYSID also will kick off its year-long celebration of the 40th anniversary of its founding.

 

The Authority, which runs Albany International Airport, uses services from Capital Region NYSID member agencies and corporate partners, including Schenectady County Chapter NYSARC, Inc. (Schenectady Arc), Rehabilitation Support Services (RSS), The Altamont Program Inc. and Action Window Cleaning. The Authority provided employment for 31 Preferred Source workers through its valued support in 2014.

 

Throughout the busy travel week, local residents with disabilities are at work at the Airport. Schenectady Arc's horticulture team helps with plant maintenance through its Horticulture Program, which offers many opportunities to individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, volunteering at local senior centers and community gardens.

 

The Altamont Program-Action Window Cleaning partnership provides essential glass cleaning, pressure washing, and awning and mirror cleaning in various parts of the airport, including the control tower. Altamont is also responsible for floor maintenance, from vacuuming to carpet extraction. Finally, when the airport has a short-term cleanup and other janitorial products throughout the year, RSS custodians satisfy their needs.

 

"The Albany County Airport Authority has been a longtime supporter of NYSID's member agencies and corporate partners, creating numerous employment opportunities for New Yorkers with disabilities," said Ron Romano, NYSID's president & CEO. "This local government customer is a prime example of how much the Capital Region and our state benefit by having a workforce that is inclusive of persons with disabilities. We are proud to recognize the Authority as our Customer of the Year, particularly as NYSID celebrates '40 Years of Looking Forward' during this upcoming 40th anniversary year of our founding."

 

"The Airport Authority has long recognized the importance of providing meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities," said John O'Donnell, CEO of the Albany County Airport Authority. "The Albany County Airport Authority is grateful to accept this honor, but the real credit for this award must go to the men and women of New York State Industries for the Disabled, Inc., their member agencies and corporate partners, who work seven days a week to maintain and preserve the appearance of the Albany International Airport."

 

Albany International Airport is a 1,200-acre facility that sees more than 110 commercial flights daily. The Airport is owned by Albany County and is occupied by the Authority under a 40-year Airport Lease Agreement with the County. The Albany County Airport Authority was created in 1993 as a public benefit corporation under New York State Public Authorities Law.

 

NYSID is a not-for-profit business which administers Preferred Source contracts for products and services in support of state and local government procurement budgets. Its mission is "Turning business opportunities into JOBS for New Yorkers with disabilities."

 

Established in 1975, NYSID is a registered 501(c)(3) Not for Profit which creates employment opportunities for more than 6,800 New Yorkers with disabilities annually. Its offerings are approved by the NYS Office of General Services and include janitorial, document imaging, industrial laundry, office temps, and other services, as well as a wide range of products assembled, packaged and/or manufactured by people with disabilities. NYSID's community rehabilitation member agencies and private sector business partners are located throughout the state, providing vocational assistance programs to their respective communities. For more information, visit http://www.nysid.org.