American Airlines proudly celebrates the 100 2024 recipients of its most prestigious career achievement award — the Circle of Excellence — for their significant contributions to operational excellence, customer service and community engagement. These team members embody American’s core values, demonstrating outstanding leadership, innovative strategies and a relentless pursuit of excellence, which served as a driving force behind every success. This year’s winners have joined the ranks of honorees who set the gold standard.
Many of the honorees were humbled to learn they had been selected as recipients of this notable award. It was a moment of immense pride that recognized the significance of their profound journeys and collective efforts throughout their careers. Meredith Green, Premium Guest Services Manager at SFO, said, “This award was a complete surprise. Most of my career has been spent leading teams and my focus has been on developing and recognizing the accomplishments of others. Knowing my teams in both SFO and HNL nominated me is truly an honor.”
More than 1,300 nominations were submitted from team members across the organization. A panel of former honorees and leaders completes a rigorous evaluation of each entry to select the top 100 achievers. Each year, American celebrates its newest inductees at an awards ceremony at the Winspear Opera House in Dallas where American’s senior leaders, including CEO Robert Isom, celebrate their successes and support their continued growth. The two-day celebration also includes an exclusive brunch and a tour of the Robert L. Crandall Campus in Fort Worth, Texas. All winners also receive a commemorative pin, a trophy and $10,000.
Meredith Green, Premium Guest Services Manager SFO, receives her award honoring her incredible impact over 52 years of service. Her career follows in the footsteps of her father, G.E Coon, VP of American Airlines SFO in 1959. She continues a tradition of dedication and excellence across generations.
Robert expressed his gratitude for the lasting impact these team members have made on the company and in their communities:
“The achievements of our Circle of Excellence honorees reflect the core values of American Airlines. They embody the very best of what we stand for as an organization. Their unwavering commitment to excellence has shaped our success, inspired their colleagues and strengthened our global community. They are the foundation of our legacy and the drivers of our future.”
Aviation Maintenance Technician Tony Cordova receives his award recognizing career achievements spanning more than 30 years. Tony helps maintain the health of American’s fleet at the Tulsa maintenance base. He makes it his personal mission to safely put aircraft back in service in a timely manner. To Tony, it’s all in a day’s work, but his peers and leaders call his skills an art form and celebrate his commitment to excellence.
Together, the honorees bring an astounding 2,500 years of collective service with an average of 25 years. These extraordinary individuals come from across the globe representing seven countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Greece, Japan, Paris, Peru and Mexico. Their contributions have shaped our company and advanced our mission in every corner of the world. This milestone is a testament to the culture of excellence fostered at American.