and keeping the airport open while recovering from a pandemic that devastated our industry.   

As we have seen over the last two years, coronavirus is volatile; several times when we thought we had turned a corner, a new strain or regulations stalled travel. However, while we know we are still a few years away from a full recovery, we have reason to be cautiously optimistic. In 2022, our airline partners are expected to offer service to 91 domestic and 31 international destinations, including four Canadian, 13 transatlantic and 14 Caribbean/Mexican destinations.  The airport will also be served by five foreign flag carriers: Air Canada, Aer Lingus (for the first time since 2020), British Airways, Lufthansa and Qatar.     

Instead of devastating dips in service and passenger volume (remember when we had 1,200 passengers for an entire day at the beginning of the pandemic?), we should see steady increases in the routes offered by our airline partners and the number of guests in our terminals throughout the year. Now, then, is the time to think about the airport’s future — to evaluate the lessons learned throughout the pandemic and use them to make our facility the best for our guests and our stakeholders and to make our organization the best for our team.  

Our senior team is currently reassessing our strategic plan and Capital Development has been working hard on our Master Plan Update. These programs will not only guide the Division of Aviation through our continuing COVID recovery, but also transform the airport for generations. I am looking forward to sharing the plans with you in the coming months so that you can see what role you play in achieving our goals.  

Diversity and inclusion are two necessary elements of our future development. We cannot move forward without understanding each other’s experiences and addressing disparities within our organization and industry. Since its establishment in June 2020, our Racial Equity Advisory Council (REAC) has been working to build awareness, identify solutions and foster a dynamic workplace that ensures equitable opportunities and outcomes for all employees. Programming, like that REAC has scheduled for Black History Month, helps us learn about one another and about the influence all cultures have on our country. Please visit phl.org/BHM2022 for the details of this year’s celebration. I hope you will join me by participating in the activities.  

Stay safe! 

Chellie  

REAC invites the Division of Aviation community to take part in the airport’s Black History Month programming throughout February. Activities include:  

• REAC Virtual Roundtable, Thursday, February 17, 2-3 p.m.:  Black leaders from across the Greater Philadelphia region will discuss their backgrounds, career pathways, the challenges of implementing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) strategies,and their accomplishments. Panel participants include Sara Lomax-Reese, President and CEO of WURD Radio and co-founder of URL Media; Nefertiri Sickout, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer for the City of Philadelphia, Mayor’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; and Eboni Wimbush, President and CEO of the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC). The panel will be moderated by Deatrice Isaac, Deputy of Airport Procurement. 

• Thurs-Yay Black History Gameday, February 24, Noon-1 p.m.: Join the Training and Development team for games, friendly competition, and a chance to win bragging rights with your colleagues. Contact [email protected] for more information. 
• Artist Exhibitions - throughout February: The PHL Airport Art Program is highlighting the work of local Black artists.  When walking through the terminals, look for exhibitions featuring BlackStar Projects, in A-East; Robin Williams Turnage in A-West; Iye Yin Dae in Terminal C; Shawn Theodore in Terminal D; and Danny Simmons in Terminal F.     
• Division of Aviation’s Soundtrack of Philly: For Black History Month, the Division of Aviation is cultivating a playlist of some of the city’s influential Black musicians. Send your selections for the Soundtrack of Philly to [email protected] by February 22 and look for the final list on February 28.    
• Division of Aviation Black History Month Philly “PHLicks” and TV Watchlist: Philadelphia has been the setting for many films and several TV shows spotlighting Black culture, many of which you can enjoy at home. In addition to programs and movies set in our city, there are even more that feature our hometown actors or have a Philadelphia connection. Submit your choices for the Division of Aviation’s Black History Month Philly “PHLicks” and TV Watchlist to [email protected] by February 22 and look for the complete list on February 28. 
• PHL Food & Shops Black Author Spotlight - throughout February: Through February 26, PHL Food & Shops retailers will feature Black authors with Black History Month merchandising tables at both Philadelphia Tribune locations (Terminal A-East and Terminal D), Stellar News (Terminal A-East and Terminal E), Heritage Books (B/C Connector) and Stellar Books (D/E Connector). Each table will have a QR code and customers can enter for a chance to win a free book of their choice from the highlighted assortment. 

Additionally, Delicsha Wilds,Shaqunna Duncan, Milton Robinson, Ashlee Franklin, and William Bayne will participate in a virtual careers profile assembly with students from Bartram High School. The program will be recorded and shared to employees at a later date. CEO Chellie Cameron will host Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Michael Hales, Director of Aviation at Delaware State University, for a special Black History Month edition of her podcast. The interview will be shared later this month at takingoff.podbean.com/.

For more information about REAC’s Black History Month programs, visit phl.org/BHM2022 or email [email protected].  

HR Updates

2022 W-2s 

This year, distribution of 2021 W-2 forms will be paperless! Log into the OnePhilly Employee Self Service portal to view and print your W-2 form. 

Links are provided in OnePhilly that will help you navigate your W-2 and understand the values shown in the boxes, in part by mapping it to your last paystub in 2021.  Each link will show a document with details, illustrations, and instructions about the W-2. 

Instructions for how to print your 2021 W2 form can be found HERE. Questions may be forwarded to your payroll clerk. 

City Employee Vaccine Bonus 

All employees who submitted their vaccination card by December 24, 2021 should have received the $300 bonus on January 14, 2022.  If you did not receive the bonus, please contact your payroll clerk. 

DC33 employees who submitted their cards after December 24, 2021 but by February 15, 2022 will receive the vaccination bonus of $300 by April 1, 2022. 

DC47 employees who provide proof of vaccination status by February 22, 2022 will receive a cash bonus of $300, which will be paid by April 1, 2022. 

HR Assistance – Uploading Vaccination Cards into OnePhilly 

Employees who are unable to upload and/or who experience difficulty uploading proof of vaccination into the OnePhilly system, can now drop off a copy of their vaccination cards and HR will upload it for you! 

WHEN:          Monday-Friday 

TIME:             8:30 AM – 4:30 PM 

WHERE:        Terminal E, 3rd floor – HR Reception Area 

Rework Reminders 

Mandatory COVID-19 Safety Protocols 

Use the Employee Screener https://www.phila.gov/employee-screener/#/  daily and follow the guidance: 

• If workers are not well, they should stay home.  
• DOA employees must inform their supervisor and HR/Safety if they have not been cleared for work.
• Questions related to the employee screener may be forwarded to [email protected]. 

Workers must wear masks inside 

• Non-vaccinated workers must double-mask.
• Workers shouldn’t gather unmasked for any reason.  

Biggest Loser 90 Day Challenge 

JANAURY 19 - *APRIL 19, 2022 

(*correction to end date previously advertised) 

$50 entry fee. CASH prizes! 

Participants may utilize any method/diet/exercise plan of their choice to lose weight, except surgery.  

Be sure to check with your physician before starting any weight loss program!   

How it works:  

Participants must agree to mandatory weigh-ins at the beginning and the end of the challenge. Throughout the 90 days, PHL WELL will provide tips, host workshops, and create opportunities for employees to encourage and share lessons learned during the journey. 

First, second and third place winners are determined by calculating the PERCENTAGE of weight lost. 

Weigh-ins can be scheduled by emailing [email protected]. 

The last day to enroll in the challenge for cash prizes is February 4, 2022. 

TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF EMPLOYEE UPDATES DIRECTLY TO YOUR PHONE, EMAIL [email protected] WITH YOUR EMAIL AND/OR CELL PHONE NUMBER. 

Employee Milestones

Delicsha Wilds Appointed Chief Administrative Officer

Delicsha Wilds is the Division of Aviation’s new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). Delicsha, who joined the Division of Aviation in 2019 as Deputy Director of Human Resources, had served the dual role of Acting CAO and Deputy Director of Human Resources since May 2021.  As CAO, Delicsha will continue to oversee HR, as well as the DOA’s Diversity & Inclusion, Information Security, Government Affairs, Community Engagement, Communications, Accessible Programs, Workforce Development and Racial Equity teams. 

Nora Dougherty Named Director of Special Systems

IT Director Nora Dougherty has been named Director of Special Systems on the Capital Development team. In her new position, Nora will directly oversee a variety of tools and solutions currently in use by Capital Development, with a special focus on Spatial intelligence and technologies, including GIS and CAD. She will report to Deputy Director of Aviation- Capital Development Api Appulingam, and the GIS and CAD teams will report to Nora within Capital Development. Her team’s base of operations will continue to be in International Plaza but will move to suite 100.

Staff Promotions

Congratulations to the Division of Aviation employees who were promoted in the month of January: 

Bob Gizinski — Building Maintenance Superintendent 1

Deneen Wilson — Minority/Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Manager

Tamara Whitfield — Departmental Human Resources Manager 3

James Adeoye — Senior Accountant

Joann Mattei — Administrative Trainee 1

James Reed — Airport P & G Group Leader

Kenneth Golden — Electronics Equipment Supervisor, Electronics

Mae Michell Edwards — Department Procurement Specialist

Maryna Liaukovich — Administrative Trainee 1

Shane Monroe — Building Maintenance Group Leader

Retirements

Congratulations to the Division of Aviation employees who retired in the month of January:

Lori Burton, Stores Supervisor

Thomas Keaveney, Electronic Equipment Supervisor (33 years of service)

Team Clean Founder and President Donna L. Allie Named 2022 Chamber of Commerce Paradigm Award Winner  

Donna L. Allie, founder and president of Team Clean, Inc., a Division of Aviation contractor, will receive the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia’s 2022 Paradigm Award. The Paradigm Award, a Chamber of Commerce signature event, is presented annually during Women's History Month to a "businesswoman whose outstanding professional and personal achievements serve as a model for success". The award is considered the most prestigious award for professional women in Greater Philadelphia.

Allie established Team Clean in the mid-1980s following her graduation from Wilberforce University. The company secured its first commercial contract in 1985 with the Upper Main Line YMCA and is now a multimillion dollar entity that has cleaned for a locations across Philadelphia, including the National Constitution Center, the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the Kimmel Center and Citizens Bank Park.

Reminder: REAC Book Club Discussion February 17 

The REAC Book Club is back! The new selection is A Place For Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza. This New York Times bestseller follows the lives of an Indian American Muslim family, the dynamic between parents striving to pass down their cultures/traditions to their children, and children struggling to balance authenticity in themselves and loyalty to their heritage.    

A Place For Us is available without cost via The Free Library of Philadelphia (Print and E-Book) and for purchase at the following local Black-owned bookstores via bookshop.org ( Harriet’s Bookshop: and Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Book). The book is also available on Amazon and other major retailers.   

REAC will also host a virtual brown bag/book discussion on Zoom on Thursday, February 17, at noon.  Look for an email invite with the link soon.  For more information, email [email protected].  

Information Security 

As tax season ramps up through February, so too do tax return scams. Criminals use this as an opportunity to not only target your money, but also your identity, banking credentials, or anything else of value. The Better Business Bureau warned this season, in which the IRS is experiencing staffing shortages, is expected to see more scams than previous years targeting victims with promises of shorter wait times or faster refund returns. Below are some warning signs to look for in scams, and some tips to help avoid becoming a victim: 

Warning Signs of a Tax Scam:  

• An email or link requesting personal and/or financial information, such as your name, social security number, bank or credit card account numbers, password, or any additional security-related information.  
• Emails containing various forms of threats or consequences if no response is received, such as additional taxes or blocking access to your funds.  
• Emails from the IRS or federal agencies. The IRS will not contact you via email.  
• Emails containing exciting offers, tax refunds, incorrect spelling, grammar, or odd phrasing throughout.  
• Emails discussing "changes to tax laws." These email scams typically include a downloadable document (usually in PDF format) that purports to explain the new tax laws. However, unbeknownst to many, these downloads are almost always populated with malware that, once downloaded, will infect your computer.  
• Threats to contact law enforcement if a tax debt is not paid. 
• Demands for payment via third-party or pre-paid debit cards or gift cards. 
• Claims they can settle tax debt for pennies on the dollar. 
• Ghost preparers, who tend to improperly fill out tax returns with false information to make it seem like the victim will receive a large refund so the scammer can charge more money. 

Tips To Avoid Being a Victim:  

• File your taxes early and online. Criminals that are already in possession of your personal information may try to file a tax return as you so that they receive the refund instead of you. Filing early helps ensure your return gets to the IRS before a fake one does, and filing online will help get your refund processed faster. 
• Never send sensitive information in an email. Information sent through email can be intercepted by criminals. Make sure to consistently check your financial account statements and your credit report for any signs of unauthorized activity.  
• Secure your computer. Ensure your computer has the latest security updates installed. Check that your anti-virus and anti-spyware software are running properly and receiving automatic updates from the vendor. If you haven't already done so, install and enable a firewall.  
• Carefully select the sites you visit. Safely searching for tax forms, advice on deductibles, tax preparers, and other similar topics requires great caution. NEVER visit a site by clicking on a link sent in an email, found on someone's blog, or in an advertisement. The websites you land on might look like legitimate sites, but can also be very well-crafted fakes.  
• Be wise with Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi hotspots are intended to provide convenient access to the internet, however, this convenience can come at a cost. Public Wi-Fi is not secure and is susceptible to eavesdropping by hackers. Never use public Wi-Fi to file your taxes!  
• Look for clear signs. Common scams will tout tax rebates, offer great deals on tax preparation, or offer a free tax calculator tool. If you did not solicit the information, it's likely a scam.  
• Be on the watch for fake IRS scams. The IRS will not contact you via email, text messaging, or your social network, nor does it advertise on websites. Additionally, if an email appears to be from your employer or bank claiming there is an issue that requires you to verify personal information, this is most likely a scam as well. Don’t respond to these types of emails; always contact the entity directly.  
• Always utilize strong passwords. Cybercriminals have developed programs that automate the ability to guess your passwords. To best protect yourself, make your passwords difficult to guess. Passwords should have a minimum of nine characters and include uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.  

If you receive a tax-related phishing or suspicious email at PHL, report it using the Phish Alert Button or forward it to [email protected]. If you receive a similar email on your personal account, the IRS encourages you to forward the original suspicious email (with headers or as an attachment) to its [email protected] email account, or to call the IRS at 800-908-4490. More information about tax scams is available on the IRS website and in the IRS Dirty Dozen list of tax scams. 

The Latest from PHL's Online Newsroom

At the Airport:  

Get Well with PHL!  

Every new year gives people a chance to improve their lives and set resolutions to improve themselves. City of Philadelphia Division of Aviation employees are continuing their commitment to being healthy through the PHL Well program, which was launched in August 2021.     

Capital Development:  

PHL’s Taxiway J Upgrade to Use Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Framework  

PHL's Capital Development team is planning a major upgrade for Taxiway J, located between Taxiway Z and Taxiway Y in Cargo City, which will include a complete reconstruction. 

Operations & Security: 

Human Trafficking: At PHL, We #WearBlue to Raise Awareness of this Horrible Crime  

Airports are a key point of access for traffickers, who use airports - as well as other transportation hubs, including train and bus stations - to scout for and move their victims. That is why PHL has joined up with the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Transportation (DOT) on the Blue Lightning Initiative, an element of the DHS Blue Campaign, to combat human trafficking.  Chellie Cameron, Jason Sankey and Jonathan Todd discussed human trafficking and the airport's initiatives in the latest episode of Chellie's podcast. 

PNE: 

The Future of Pilot Education is Taking Off  

At a Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing on December 15, 2021, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby testified that, “There has been a looming pilot shortage for the last decade in the United States,” and that “going through COVID, it became an actual pilot shortage.” Given the lack of available pilots, coupled with an anticipated resurgence in travel, flight schools – such as the four based at the Northeast PNE – are poised to play an increasingly important role in the aviation industry. 

People at PHL:  

Check out the latest PHL Employee Recognition Award recipients:

PHL Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Airport Operations Officer Supervisor Jeremiah Hall  

PHL Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: L’Occitane en Provence Assistant Manager Olga Yakovchits 

PHL Impression-Makers: Philly Pretzel Factory Supervisor Markera Tymes