2026 Make It Happen Award

Make It Happen Award 2026

Every year, Aeronet Worldwide gives its Make It Happen Award. Named for our late founder Tony Pereira’s beloved mantra, the award celebrates the Aeronet associate who best demonstrates our core values of Integrity, Commitment, and Passion.

Award Winners

Tiffany Rickelman – Aeronet Chicago
Tiffany is a trusted partner to both vendors and clients, building strong relationships grounded in reliability — she does what she says she will do, every time. As a committed ambassador for Aeronet’s corporate KPIs and new initiatives, Tiffany is consistently willing to step in and help, whether training colleagues, updating vendor information, or tackling whatever is needed. Her exceptional attitude and readiness to go the extra mile set her apart. Tiffany approaches every request with enthusiasm and a genuine desire to support the success of the team and the organization.

Irma Rodriguez – Aeronet San Jose
Irma has built lasting trust with clients through consistent honesty and ethics, earning genuine respect through the relationships she cultivates every day. Her commitment to the team is demonstrated through the long hours she invests to ensure her team is supported and operational goals are met. Irma’s passion for her work goes beyond the clock — she stays until a goal is accomplished and the client is cared for, consistently putting the needs of others ahead of her own. Her dedication, integrity, and selfless spirit are a true inspiration to those around her.

Nominees (listed alphabetically)

Michael Crowley – Aeronet Los Angeles
Michael approaches every responsibility with integrity — transparent in communication, accountable in decision-making, and fair in all interactions. As an elite sales representative, he consistently exceeds expectations, stepping up during challenging times and constantly seeking new opportunities to drive the company forward. Michael’s persistence and resilience set the performance standard for those around him. His passion is contagious: he brings genuine energy and optimism to every client relationship, building lasting partnerships that go beyond business, and continually invests in the long-term reputation and success of the organization.

Jeff Dauz – West Region
Jeff leads with honesty, fairness, and a genuine investment in the people around him. He builds trust by taking ownership when things go wrong and communicating transparently with both clients and vendors. His commitment spans the entire organization — he consistently makes time for team members and maintains remarkable focus on driving successful outcomes. Jeff’s passion for Aeronet is evident in the way he champions others: creating opportunities for colleagues to share their successes, developing his people, and honoring the values and legacy that define the company’s culture. His leadership makes a lasting impact.

Peter Dodson – East Region
Peter exemplifies integrity through his consistent humility — he is always the first to recognize others for their contributions and never seeks personal credit. His commitment is available around the clock: Peter responds to calls any time of day or night, and when freight issues arise, he dives in with creative, out-of-the-box solutions that others haven’t considered. Peter’s passion for his work and his colleagues is visible the moment he walks through the door— he greets everyone with a smile and makes a point to connect with each person, fostering a positive and welcoming environment.

Carol Geraci – Aeronet Houston
Carol consistently demonstrates integrity by doing the right thing in every situation, earning the trust and respect of those around her. Her dedication to Aeronet and her work is unwavering — she is always willing to lend a hand and shows up fully, no matter the task. Carol’s team-player spirit shines through in her commitment to staying the course for as long as it takes, ensuring that clients are cared for and the organization is supported. Her reliability, goodwill, and steadfast commitment make her a cornerstone of the Aeronet Houston team.

Paul Holman – Aeronet Corporate
Paul brings integrity to everything he produces for Aeronet — from detailed reports and QBRs to RFI responses and client presentations, his work is consistently accurate and trustworthy. His commitment spans the organization: he is a go-to resource for our associates, meeting deadlines reliably and supporting others with genuine care. What best captures Paul’s passion is his willingness to do whatever the job demands — he has rolled up his sleeves to pick, pack, and ship product when needed. Nothing is beneath him, and that attitude makes him an exceptional leader.

Tristan Lorenzo – Aeronet San Francisco
Tristan exemplifies integrity by consistently treating others with respect, taking full responsibility for his words and actions, and never misleading those around him. His commitment consistently exceeds expectations — he proactively tackles challenges, mentors new team members, and delivers exceptional service, even after-hours. His dedication to meeting critical deadlines has inspired a culture of excellence across the department. Tristan’s unwavering positivity and infectious can-do spirit motivate colleagues, and his continual pursuit of process improvements ensures the entire team benefits from his passion for doing things the right way.

Lori Loverdi – Aeronet Chicago
Lori’s integrity is demonstrated through her willingness to push back when something isn’t right and to take responsibility when challenges arise, developing corrective action plans and involving the right stakeholders. Her commitment is extraordinary — she has worked seven-day weeks across double shifts, manned desks when the team was shorthanded, and spent countless Sunday hours ensuring operations run smoothly. Lori has also invested deeply in developing team members, including associates who have since grown into key roles. Her passion for team culture is evident through the spirited traditions and camaraderie she has fostered.

Edie McElwaney – Aeronet Atlanta
Edie exemplifies Aeronet’s core values through her principled, people-first approach to leadership. She never compromises ethical standards for convenience, handling every challenge with fairness and transparency. When mistakes occur, Edie turns them into learning opportunities, working directly with individuals toward solutions rather than assigning blame. Her exceptional commitment shows in the long hours she invests, her proactive identification of process improvements, and her genuine investment in each team member’s growth. Known for celebrating every win and lifting others up, Edie fosters a culture of trust, unity, and shared purpose.

Mike Minardi – Warehouse Operations
Mike leads his warehouse team with unwavering integrity, tackling challenges head-on, and maintaining full transparency with his team and leadership. Known as someone you can always count on, Mike demonstrated remarkable commitment by jumping on flights at a moment’s notice to support stations in need throughout 2025. His grit and determination were instrumental in building Aeronet’s warehouse operations into profitable service centers. Passionate about the company and the quality of its work, Mike continually seeks ways to improve processes and elevate the service delivered to clients.

John Nash – Aeronet Chicago
John brings exceptional integrity to his work through radical transparency and objective, fact-based decision-making — his direct communication style leaves no ambiguity and has earned him a reputation for reliability. Since joining Aeronet, John has consistently sought out responsibilities beyond his standard scope, most notably through his complex work with the Ryze account, where his analytical mind and organizational skills have driven team success. His unwavering confidence, positive energy, and willingness to put in long hours reflect a deep, personal investment in the organization’s success.

Chad Summer – Aeronet Atlanta
Chad demonstrated exceptional character when the Savannah facility he had prepared to lead was closed — rather than stepping back, he embraced the transition with a positive attitude and accepted the call to Atlanta. He spent weeks away from his family commuting back and forth before ultimately relocating entirely. His calm, encouraging leadership style quickly elevated the Atlanta warehouse team, driving significant improvements in profitability. Despite the challenges that come with rapid growth, Chad and his team consistently do whatever it takes to deliver for clients — embodying Aeronet’s Make It Happen spirit.

Laura Tautala – Aeronet Los Angeles
Laura is an invaluable member of the LAX team, consistently demonstrating integrity through her honest, reliable service to clients and colleagues alike. Her commitment is evident every day — she arrives early, stays late, and brings a genuine team spirit that has been central to the station’s success. What truly sets Laura apart is the depth of her care: she doesn’t just complete tasks, she genuinely cares about the clients she serves, and they feel it. Her dedication, reliability, and heart make her an indispensable part of the Aeronet family.

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