Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/5562/-1/131/
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GLEN BOOTHE GRATEFUL FOR AWARD "I Am Fitted For The Job"
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Air Traffic Control Officer at Wallblake Airport, Glen Boothe, says he is grateful to the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association for giving him the Award for Airport Employee of the Year. He was named for the honour at the recent AHTA Awards and Dinner Gala Ceremony held at Zurra Restaurant when a number of persons were awarded for various tourism-related services on the island.
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Mr. Glen Boothe
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Mr. Boothe, who is originally from Jamaica, was not present to receive his award. He spoke to The Anguillian this week. “Having been given the privilege to serve the Government of Anguilla in the capacity of an Air Traffic Controller, it has really raised my self-esteem to know that I have been honoured in this respect and that my work has been revered to the extent that the AHTA could have afforded me the Airport Employee of the Year title. I am humbled and really appreciative.”
Mr. Boothe made the point that his duties required him to work behind the scenes rather than interacting with the general public. “The fact that I am able to do this and to be publicly recognised for a behind-the-scenes job, I consider it an honour,” he told the newspaper.
Asked why he thought he was selected for the award, he replied, carefully choosing his words: “All of my colleagues have accommodated late flights. I remember accommodating a late flight to address a medical situation. I think I was up until around 2.00 a.m. on the particular day and I was duly recognised for that. It could be also due to my commitment to the task as it relates to strictness in operating procedures. It could be also a result of being cooperative in the whole endeavour, making suggestions as to what procedures to follow.
“The reason I am [fighting] for words is that even though I was pleasantly taken aback, it shows me although you may not know that someone is noticing you, someone is in fact doing so. This has helped me to continue to be astute and to be focussed in what I am doing. It tells me that not only in air traffic control that I must be diligent in what I do, but in every aspect of my life. I lead out in church also [SDA] and I have to create an example where that is concerned. Exemplary living speaks for itself and this is one of the occasions. (He did not attend the award ceremony because it fell on Friday night, November 30, during the Sabbath hours but nevertheless he was appreciative of the honour conferred on him.)
Mr. Boothe has been serving in Anguilla since in March 1999. He began his Air Traffic Control career in Jamaica in 1981 attached to the Kingston Area Control Centre. There he formulated flight plans and initiated certain procedures relating to air traffic control centres within the various regions of Jamaica
He was trained as an Aerodrome and Approach Controller in Luxembourg. He was then attached to the Donald Sangster International Airport in Jamaica from 1982 to 1985. He was later trained at an English College as a Level 3 Area Controller, following which he was assigned to the Head Office in Jamaica where he served from 1988 until 1999 when he came to Anguilla.
“Your experience has served you well,” Boothe was told.
“I must say so, definitely,” he replied. “It had its ups and downs but I know the nature of the job and my attitude towards it says it looks to me that I was fitted for this.”