07.30.21 // News Desert Jet Employee Recognition Award Benefits Angel Flight West Passenger Back to News & Press Last quarter, Desert Jet awarded its first employee recognition award, the Jacqueline Cochran Award of Excellence, to Valente Camarillo, accountable manager of Desert Jet Maintenance. As part of Valente’s recognition award, a donation was also made in his name to support a flight for an Angel Flight West (AFW) passenger to make their medical treatment possible. Meet Alanna, a Coachella Valley resident and AFW passenger assisted by the donation. Alanna has Kleine-Levin Syndrome (KLS), a rare sleep disorder. When an episode strikes, people with this condition cannot work, go to school, or take care of themselves. There is no cure, but KLS can be managed. Alanna lives in Bermuda Dunes. Her specialist is at the University of California San Francisco’s Memory and Aging Center. That meant an eight-hour drive there and back until the family found Angel Flight West. AFW flew Alanna to her appointment with her mom Diane, and they will continue to be there for Alanna whenever she needs them. After the flight, Diana wrote: “Thank you for your generosity and support in providing flights for our medical appointment in San Francisco. We are so grateful for angels like you who helped us during our very difficult time in life. The pilots were experts and so professional and made us feel at ease. The service you provide for those struggling with their health truly makes a difference in one’s life. Thanks again!” “Desert Jet has been a longtime partner of Angel Flight West, and we are very proud to support their amazing mission,” said Jared Fox, chief executive officer, Desert Jet. “We have always felt that business aviation serves as an exceptional conduit to helping change lives. And we are happy to assist whenever possible. It is a testament to the Desert Jet team and their commitment to helping others in the community.” Desert Jet proudly announces the second employee to be recognized for “The Jackie” award. Congratulations to Angel Vargas, a line service technician at Desert Jet Center, for consistently demonstrating excellence in performance, service to others, and constant improvement. Angel received multiple nominations from various employees recognizing his attributes. “We are proud to recognize Angel Vargas, who exemplifies all the special qualities that “The Jackie” award represents,” stated Roman Mendez, general manager, Desert Jet Center. “We appreciate his continued devotion to making Desert Jet a great place to work. I look forward to seeing the wonderful work his Angel Flight West donation will have with the next passenger mission.”