Verdia M. Noel has been an avid aviation professional for over forty (40) years. Having worked at both LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport from 1984 - 2001, she has held positions of leadership within aviation support service companies, and airport airline operations, for companies that provided services for millions of passengers traveling through the NY/NJ metropolitan area.
Since 2001, Verdia has served as Area Director 2001 - 2018 and has continued to serve as the Director Business Development NY until present for the Council for Airport Opportunity, (CAO) NY & NJ. Verdia is dedicated to the overall mission of CAO which is to identify and address the critical employment needs of the communities surrounding the New York and New Jersey Metropolitan airports, while at the same time responding to the hiring needs of the airport and the aviation industry. She has a strong and professional business management background, exceptional customer service skills, providing extraordinary services to communities and the aviation industry. Work experience gained in this multi-faceted world of business, workforce development, and human resources, has allowed Verdia to make a difference in the lives of many, as a dynamic leader, and energetic problem solver. A results driven administrator with expertise in delivery of services, Verdia has developed and maintained strong customer relations and satisfaction, through communication and responsiveness to customer needs.
Verdia initially joined the aviation industry with the Council for Airport Opportunity as a Ground Transportation Counter Agent in 1984 and was promoted to Supervisor in 1986. In 1988 while working for Hudson General Corp and WFS, she was promoted to Manager Ground Transportation Counter Program at JFK in 1990 and Manager LGA Program 1996. Subsequently, she was instrumental in administering and managing customer and passenger service contracts, and security operations with tremendous success and was promoted to General Manager of the WFS- LGA Operation in 2000, overseeing both customer service and security for approximately 350 employees. Prior to 1984, Verdia worked for New York Telephone and AT&T Communications.
In 2001, Verdia was recruited back to the Council for Airport Opportunity as the organization’s Area Director, and was responsible for directing the recruitment, prescreening, and the referral process, as well as developing new business opportunities and overall service delivery efforts for CAO. In 2006, she participated in planning, and establishing the first on airport career center presence at LaGuardia Airport to address the community resident’s accessibility to job opportunities. Under her leadership, CAO is a thriving hub for employers, jobseeker recruitment efforts, and a resource for community residents.
Verdia has excelled in aviation and community and has demonstrated a serious commitment to empowering the future of youth and the adult population in local areas and beyond, volunteering time and effort to bring awareness to the community at large. She is thankful to have the unique opportunity to help make a difference in the community both in her career and in service.
Verdia is an active participant in a number of airport associations and community based organizations. She is a member and board member of the Kiwanis Club of LaGuardia Airport, JFK Rotary member, former Vice President of the Queens West Kiwanis Foundation Board, former Vice President of Development Jamaica Services Program for Older Adults, Board member Queens Economic Development Corporation, Board member Christ for the World Chapel JFK, Board Member Boy Scouts of America Queens Council, Boy Scouts Aviation Luncheon Committee member, Member Vaughn College Student Advisory Council, Jamaica Now Housing & Economic Development Committee, and former board member Queens Botanical Garden. Verdia is a Super Distinguished Past Lieutenant Governor of Kiwanis International. She has served as NYS Kiwanis District Chair - Distinguished Kiwanian, NYS Kiwanis District Chair of Women in Kiwanis, and NYS Zone Chair - Formula Team Kiwanis International. Verdia is a member and former Trustee of New Jerusalem Worship Center, of Jamaica, NY.
Verdia has received awards for business, and outstanding community service respectively from the Elmer H. Blackburne Regular Democratic Club, the You Can Go To College Too Committee, Certificate of Appreciation-QBP Helen M. Marshall, Congressional Achievement Award Congressman Gregory M. Meeks, City Council Citation Councilmember Leroy Comrie (2009), Greater New York Council Boy Scouts of America Presidents Award (2010), Top Women in Business Award, Queens Courier, and Key Women of America Distinguished Community Service Awards (2011), Citation of Honor-QBP Helen M. Marshall, Queens Federation of Churches Outstanding Leadership in Queens Award (2012), the Bishop Wright Aviation Industry Woman of the Year Award (2014), Proclamation from Queens Borough President Melinda Katz (2014). City Council Citation, Councilmember I. Daneek Miller, Unsung Heroine Award (2015), AWCWA 2015 Workforce Development Award, COSOB Moves, Inc, 2015 Public Advocate Award, the 2017 East Elmhurst Corona Civic Association Leadership in Business Award, the (2017) Guy R Brewer United Democratic Club Outstanding Business Award, Airport Voice 2019 Woman of Achievement Award as well as numerous recognition awards over the years.
Verdia credits her early childhood upbringing for instilling in her a sense of family, church, community and education. She attended and graduated from schools in the Hertford County, North Carolina school system and later pursued a degree in Business Management having studied at the Washington Business Institute, Long Island University CW Post Campus, and St. Francis College, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management from St. Francis College. Verdia is the mother of four children, has four grandsons and five great-grandchildren. Favorite pastimes include music, reading, traveling and learning to play golf.