Could you share your story and what led you to join AGI?

After spending years in a totally different industry and world, I still remember my early days, just 15 years ago, in LAX where I started as a warehouse agent building and breaking down freight. I remember falling in love in the industry and realizing one thing: the more you learn and the better you take charge and go the extra mile, the faster you will grow personally and professionally. About a year into my start in that warehouse, I moved up from agent, to lead, to supervisor and then manager. I always felt the need to learn more, and went to the airline cargo side for some years, then overseas, then back to the ground handling side state side. In early 2022, I decided to leave the industry and take a break, but it was always inthe back of my mind - finding the right company, culture, a place where I belong. AGI was the perfect mix, no red tape, ability to operate and improve, create a culture and a place where people feel they belong to.

How did you feel upon being hired as Chief Operations Officer, and what significance did this industry promotion hold for you?

I remember the first time getting a call about becoming a COO of another ground handler. Honestly, I was scared, I wasn't sure how different it will be now that you're a C-Suite. I was scared of what I would lose as an operator, am I going to be sitting behind a desk? Will I still be able to help and correct issues on the ground.. so many questions. Once I started, I realized that, although there's a strategic part to it, you make of it whatever you want and organize your life and job based on the need and not the title. The responsibilities and liabilities grow but so does the opportunity to create and build teams and people to be the best COO.

The biggest significance is the ability to coach, mentor, and see people grow professionally and personally and with that comes my own growth. It's like by teaching, you also learn and adapt.

What does AGI mean to you?

AGI is a promise to be different, to work as a team, to be part of a growing family, to see results and see people grow and take on bigger and more complex tasks, for a company to become a career and not just a job.

There are so many hurdles in the job, sometimes there are even hard moments and events that you go through that you wish you didn't have to go through. At times, it feels like organized chaos, but what I love about it is we are all after the same goal and the leadership team is constantly thinking of our frontline agents and managers.

We’re investing in new systems, such as time and attendance, implementing technology in flexible scheduling, to always looking at ways to adjust pay rates, bonuses, and so much more. THIS is proof that we want AGI to be a home for thousands of people and a long-term home.

Things don't happen overnight, and change sometimes is needed, but when you work for such a company, you know that you belong to something much larger than just a ground handler.

In your opinion, what is the future direction of AGI Ground?

AGI's diverse portfolio is a powerful tool to have. While being one of the largest ground handlers is nice, we are all aligned in that we need to be profitable, that we have the right people in the right places and that all our employees are safe and feel the same type of belonging I do.

The future looks very bright for us, our business is growing steadily and we are being very selective in what we should go after and when while ensuring that we provide the best service and home for passengers and employees alike.

There is so much room for growth for everyone and not just with Ground, but also with Cargo, Secure, Post, and HDQ. All it takes is commitment and a leap of faith, and the world is yours.

Are there any upcoming projects at AGI Ground that you can discuss?

We are in the process of implementing a time and attendance and resource planning technology that provides a one stop shop to our employees for shift trading, selecting schedules, bidding on shifts and more.

While the industry requires us to be flexible, we want to ensure that we create a healthy and comfortable environment for our folks. 2025 is going to be an even more exciting year for us. We have many opportunities in the pipeline that will create more jobs and more moves for everyone.

We have a Summer Cup going on now between stations that is very exciting, everyone is onboard and working hard to bring that cup home. I can't wait to announce the winners in the coming month.

I'm excited the most about our uniforms, PPE, safety shoes and so much more that will be available to everyone.

Did I mention our Ramp Rodeo challenge? Stay tuned!!

If you could implement any changes in the ground handling industry, what would they be?

The industry is outdated. So many systems, so many technologies, so many processes and variances. It all needs to come together under one roof. I'd love to see a one stop shop that covers and standardizes all the training material, SOPs, KPIs, and more. I always say let's find the toughest and most stringent process out there and apply it to all.

Another thing I would challenge airlines, airports, and ground handlers is, how do we make this industry a home and a long-term home, not just from a company perspective like we are doing, but also from wages, training, soft skilling, room for growth. There's enough business for everyone, why not try and have some common grounds to bring back the fame and the majesty of the airport/airline industry. I read a book in my early career days that talked about how hard it used to be to get into the industry and the pride to be in it. We are losing that over petty stuff.

What advice would you give to a new employee in the ground handling industry aiming to achieve a position similar to yours?

It's not rocket science. Like everything else, you have to treat the station or company as it's yours. Commit to what you're doing, show up on time, put in the extra effort, ask questions, do TDY, and when you see an opportunity go for it, but make sure you have what it takes and if you don't, go back and learn it for the next opportunity.

Don't be scared of change, don't be scared to think outside the box and try, be safe, show that you are committed with actions and not with words.

We are a team, I learn some amazing stuff from the team everyday, I take notes of it and test it, we have brilliant people out there, intimated by more responsibilities or maybe the salary isn't worth the amount of work, but this is the stepping stone, a sacrifice to go beyond the promotion and one day become a COO.