Meridian, the award-winning private aviation company, is pleased to announce its recent certification by the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) as a GBAC STAR™ facility. This accreditation is given to those facilities that have established and maintained a cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention program to minimize risks associated with infectious agents such as COVID-19.
The GBAC program was designed by ISSA, the world’s leading trade association for the cleaning industry, to control the risks associated with infectious agents. It is the gold standard for demonstrating adherence to best practices for cleaning of facilities and employs a rigorous risk-based assessment to tailor cleaning and disinfecting regimens to specific spaces within each facility. In addition, it ensures that a facility’s cleaning professionals are specifically trained for outbreak and infectious disease preparation and response.
“Meridian has been following strict protocols throughout the pandemic,” said Steve Chandoha, Meridian President. “This certification and validation of our efforts by outside experts underscores Meridian’s commitment to safe operations.”
Meridian’s receipt of this certification follows similar actions taken by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. In November 2020, they announced that John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia, New York Stewart and Teterboro Airports had received the Airport Health Accreditation from Airports Council International (ACI) World and ACI Americas. The recently developed Airport Health Accreditation program evaluates new health and safety measures and procedures introduced at airports worldwide in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Meridian began working toward its individual FBO accreditation once Teterboro Airport (TEB) received ACI accreditation. TEB is the first General Aviation airport in the world with this accreditation.
The GBAC STAR accreditation is just the latest demonstration of Meridian’s continued diligence around safety and cleaning. In July 2020, both the Teterboro and Hayward FBO facilities received Safety 1st Clean registration from the National Air Transportation Association (NATA). The registration recognizes Meridian’s commitment to following best practices and guidelines from both the NATA and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) around cleaning, disinfecting and hygiene, as well as ongoing education and training. Conformance to the Safety 1st Clean standard also requires that the organization have a Hazard Communication Plan in place, which Meridian does as part of its IS-BAH accreditation. Meridian has been a participant in NATA’s overall Safety 1st program for over 20 years.
“We are committed to best practices in everything we do, and our commitment to the highest level of adherence around cleaning and disinfecting is no different,” added Chandoha. “We felt it was important to demonstrate our conformance and commitment to these exacting standards to our customers, employees and the public at large, and earning these accreditations lets customers know they can expect the best and safest protocols when they come to Meridian.”
Tag: award
Meridian Air Charter is very pleased to have been named the top subcontract provider for NetJets in the Northeast region for the first and second quarters of 2017. The recent honors mark seven quarters in a row that Meridian has earned this prestigious award. Meridian’s first award was presented in Q3 of 2015, and has continued consecutively since then.
NetJets is a private aviation company that specializes in fractional ownership of business jets. While the company operates its own fleet of aircraft, it occasionally may require additional lift from third party operators. NetJets, like Meridian, will only select available aircraft from a trusted network of business jet operators with a proven safety record. Meridian Air Charter has worked diligently to meet the rigorous requirements of the industry’s highest standards, including ARG/US Platinum, Wyvern Wingman, and IS-BAO Stage 2.
Chris Battaglia, Director of Charter Sales for Meridian Air Charter, says, “We are honored that the efforts of our team have been recognized by NetJets for seven quarters running. This is a testament to our consistently high level of service in a demanding and complex industry. I am proud of our team who continues to provide and enhance the customer experience day in and day out.”
Meridian Air Charter is very pleased to have been named the top subcontract provider for NetJets in the Northeast region for the third quarter of 2016 (Q3’16). This is the fifth quarter in a row that Meridian has earned this prestigious award. Meridian was also recognized for the same honor in the third and fourth quarters of 2015 and the first and second quarters of 2016.
NetJets is a private aviation company that specializes in fractional ownership of business jets. While the company operates its own fleet of aircraft, sometimes it may require additional lift from third party operators. NetJets, like Meridian, will only select available aircraft from a trusted network of business jet operators with a proven safety record. Meridian Air Charter has worked diligently to meet the rigorous requirements of the industry’s highest standards, including ARG/US Platinum, Wyvern Wingman, and IS-BAO Stage 2.
Chris Battaglia, Director of Charter Sales for Meridian Air Charter, says, “We are honored that the efforts of our team have been recognized by NetJets for five quarters running. This is a testament to our consistently high level of service in a demanding and complex industry. I am proud of our team who continues to provide and enhance the customer experience day in and day out.”
Meridian Air Charter is very pleased to announce that it has been named the top subcontract provider for NetJets in the Northeast region for the second quarter of 2016 (Q2’16). This is the fourth quarter in a row that Meridian has earned this prestigious award. Meridian was also recognized for the same honor in the third and fourth quarters of 2015 and the first quarter of 2016.
NetJets is a private aviation company that specializes in fractional ownership of business jets. While the company operates its own fleet of aircraft, sometimes it may require additional lift from third party operators. NetJets, like Meridian, will only select available aircraft from a trusted network of business jet operators with a proven safety record. Meridian Air Charter has worked diligently to meet the rigorous requirements of the industry’s highest standards, including ARG/US Platinum, Wyvern Wingman, and IS-BAO Stage 2.
Chris Battaglia, Director of Charter Sales for Meridian Air Charter, says, “I am very proud of our team for this milestone achievement. There are challenges inherent in our everyday business activity because things can change in a moment’s notice. We understand the need to be proactive to avoid various disruptions in planning and operations. The key has been in our consistent practices and values which creates a culture for ongoing success. We are honored by NetJets for this award.”
Meridian Air Charter is very pleased to announce that it has been named the top subcontract provider for NetJets in the Northeast region for the fourth quarter of 2015. This is the second quarter in a row that Meridian has earned this prestigious award. Meridian was also recognized for the same honor in the third quarter of 2015.
NetJets is a private aviation company that specializes in fractional ownership of business jets. While the company operates its own fleet of aircraft, sometimes it may require additional lift from third party operators. NetJets, like Meridian, will only select available aircraft from a trusted network of business jet operators with a proven safety record. Meridian Air Charter has worked diligently to meet the rigorous requirements of the industry’s highest standards, including ARG/US Platinum, Wyvern Wingman, and IS-BAO Stage 2.
Chris Battaglia, Director of Charter Sales for Meridian Air Charter, says, “For our company to be recognized in third quarter of 2015 was quite an accomplishment. Having achieved this award again in the fourth quarter is simply outstanding. We know firsthand the high level of teamwork and commitment required to make the process seamless for our clients and those of our partners. I am very proud of our Sales and Operations teams, and we at Meridian Air Charter are truly honored to receive another award from such a reputable company like NetJets.”
Meridian Air Charter is very pleased to announce that it has been named the top subcontract provider for NetJets in the Northeast region for the third quarter of 2015. NetJets is a private aviation company that specializes in fractional ownership of business jets. While the company operates its own fleet of aircraft, sometimes it may require additional lift from third party operators. NetJets, like Meridian, will only select available aircraft from a trusted network of business jet operators with a proven safety record. Meridian Air Charter has worked diligently to meet the rigorous requirements of the industry’s highest standards, including ARG/US Platinum, Wyvern Wingman, and IS-BAO Stage 2.
Chris Battaglia, Director of Charter Sales for Meridian Air Charter, says, “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication that our team has for not only servicing our customers, but for also supporting our charter partners in the industry. Sometimes it’s hard to appreciate the level of detail and difficulty that goes into planning a successful charter trip and then making it happen, but our charter sales team of experienced professionals meticulously runs through all phases of the process until the trip is completed. We are honored to be recognized by NetJets and we are looking forward to continuing the trend into 2016.”
Meridian, the full-service private aviation company based in Teterboro, NJ, is proud to announce that David Schuster has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Teterboro Chapter of the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA). Mr. Schuster is a Quality Assurance Inspector with Meridian Jet Center, the company’s aircraft maintenance business. He joins a short list of distinguished recipients who have received this honor.
Ed Furst, President of the PAMA Teterboro Chapter, presented the prestigious award to Mr. Schuster in front of a large audience attending the 25th Annual PAMA Holiday Party. The evening gala was held on Friday, January 16, 2015 at The Graycliff, an elegant banquet facility near Teterboro Airport in Moonachie, NJ. The award was in recognition of David’s continuous support of the PAMA Teterboro Chapter, the aviation community, and his fellow chapter members.
Dave’s experience in aviation is quite impressive, accomplishing many milestones over the course of his career. While still in high school, Dave enlisted in the US Air Force and became a Crew Chief on a KC-135 Stratotanker, a military aerial refueling aircraft. At the conclusion of the Vietnam War, he found himself maintaining military aircraft in remote areas across the Pacific and in Europe, supporting new peace-time activities. Several years later he was assigned to remote duty at Shemya AFB in the Aleutian Islands, maintaining a RC-135S “Cobra Ball”, an aircraft specially designed to observe ballistic missile flights at long range. These assignments were truly the foundation for his career as an Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT).
Upon discharge from the military, Dave attended Teterboro School of Aeronautics and graduated in 1980 with an FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) license. He was able to obtain a position with Eastern Airlines at its major overhaul facility in Miami. Soon afterwards, Dave was hired by Becton Dickinson’s Corporate Flight Department at Teterboro Airport and eventually became the Manager of Maintenance.
During his 32-year career with Becton Dickinson, Dave was mostly responsible for maintaining the company’s fleet of aircraft all around the world. In 2014, he began a new chapter in his career when he joined Meridian Jet Center as a Quality Assurance Inspector.
Mr. Schuster is a graduate of Thomas Edison State College. He has spent many years as a Trustee with the New Jersey Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum. Dave currently volunteers as a member of the Teterboro School of Aeronautics Advisory Board and he is a commercially rated multi-engine pilot.
Meridian Jet Center proudly received an award for Maintenance Facility of the Year at the monthly PAMA meeting held on Thursday, May 23, 2013, at The Graycliff in Moonachie, NJ. The award was presented by Ed Furst, Jr., Teterboro Chapter President. Robert ‘Bob’ Kennedy was on hand to receive the award on behalf of Meridian Jet Center, and the entire company. Meridian is a full-service, private aviation company based at Teterboro Airport (TEB) in Teterboro, NJ.
The Maintenance Facility of the Year award recognizes those aircraft maintenance facilities which have gone above and beyond in its support of the Teterboro PAMA Chapter and the Teterboro Aviation Community throughout the year. PAMA is a nonprofit society that represents all professionals in the field of aviation maintenance. The organization promotes professionalism and recognition for the Aviation Maintenance Technician. PAMA does this by fostering continuous improvement in aviation safety and community through communication, education, representation, and support.
Meridian is situated in PAMA’s ‘Eastern and New England Region’ and is part of the Teterboro (TEB) Chapter. The TEB Chapter gives Meridian, and many others, the chance to actively support and make advancements in the aircraft maintenance and management field. For example, one way that Meridian Jet Center supports the community is by hosting training courses throughout the year at its facility, often at no cost to the students. In 2012, Meridian Jet Center was honored to receive two PAMA awards; the Carl Krajewski Award and the Maintenance Department of the Year Award.
John Langschultz, VP Meridian Jet Center, commented, “At Meridian, we believe strongly in supporting this organization because of the way it gives back to the local aircraft maintenance community. The monthly meetings serve as a focal point for those in the industry to come together and share ideas, talk to students entering the field, and help job seekers find leads for employment. We are honored by this award, and look forward to many more successful years with PAMA.”
Teterboro, NJ, April 9, 2012 – Meridian Jet Center was presented with two prestigious aviation achievement awards at the monthly PAMA meeting held on March 27, 2012, at the Graycliffe Manor in Moonachie, NJ. The two awards, the Carl Krajewski Award, and the Maintenance Department of the Year Award, were presented by Teterboro Chapter President, Ed Furst, Jr.
First, the Carl Krajewski Award was presented to Robert “Bob” Kennedy. This award is given to an individual who has gone above and beyond in supporting the Teterboro PAMA Chapter and TEB Airport Community. Mr. Kennedy has been involved with aircraft maintenance for the past 45 years, including the last 5 years with Meridian as a consultant. Bob had this to say, “I am honored to receive the Carl Krajewski Award. He was a personal friend of mine who worked with me in the same hangar and operated the same aircraft. The fact that I knew Carl makes this award even more special.”
The second award was presented to Meridian Jet Center for Maintenance Department of the Year. The annual award is presented to the Maintenance Department that has gone above and beyond in its support of the TEB PAMA Chapter and the TEB Aviation Community throughout the year. John Langschultz, VP Meridian Jet Center, was on hand to receive the award on behalf of Meridian. Mr. Langschultz is quoted as saying, “Being part of the Teterboro PAMA Chapter since its beginning in 1987 has been a great experience. I have met many great people and “legends” in the industry. I am proud of the accomplishments that have come from our PAMA chapter, including the Charles Taylor and AMT awards. Meridian is proud to support this important organization and its mission.”
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Meridian Celebrates Weight Loss Winners
Teterboro, NJ – On Friday, February 10, 2012, an awards luncheon was held at Meridian to recognize team and individual successes for the company’s first-ever weight loss challenge. About 40 employees participated in the event, which were then grouped into 7 teams. Each team was required to “weigh in” every two weeks, and then contribute one dollar towards the contest prizes which were awarded at the end of the four month event. The contest ended on February 7, 2012, after the last “weigh outs” were verified and logged by a nurse.
The challenge was a huge success for both the individuals who participated, as well as the company as a whole, with a combined total of 346 pounds lost! In the end, every participant benefited in some way, no matter how big or small the weight loss. Throughout the competition, teams had met to discuss and implement better eating habits, add or increase exercise to their daily routine, and find other ways live healthier lives. The health benefits accrued during the challenge included weight loss, lowered cholesterol levels, and reduced blood pressure – all factors contributing to a brighter future.
Meridian would like to congratulate the following participants:
1st Place Winner – Michelle Mandzy
2nd Place Winner – Arlene Baetiong
3rd Place Winner – Carlos “Tiny” Rodriguez
Team Award – “Number Crunchers”
Steve Chandoha (Team Captain)
Aida Libiran
Ofelia Baetiong
Nila Gonzales
Michelle Mandzy
Arlene Baetiong
Closest to Goal – Patti Perez
Honorable Mentions go to the following employees for making significant progress throughout the challenge: John Frangipani, Andrew Ladouceur, Tom Nielsen, Cisco Cabrera, and Per Karlsson.