Honors Longtime Employee And PAL Board Member, Bob Ciminelli

A $180,000 gift has been presented to the Police Athletic League from American Airlines in honor of longtime AAL Executive and PAL Board member Bob Ciminelli, who recently announced his retirement after 36 years of service to the company.

PAL serves more than 17,000 boys and girls ages 6-18 at 18 centers staffed by Philadelphia police officers in some of the city's highest-crime and lowest-income neighborhoods. The gift will support Philadelphia's youth through educational, athletic, and cultural programs focused on reducing crime, building character and improving educational outcomes.

"Throughout his airline career, Bob looked for ways to give back to the community and he has done so in various ways throughout the years, but the Police Athletic League of Philadelphia has always held a special place in his heart," said Doug Parker, chairman and CEO of American Airlines. "American is honored to make this donation in honor of Bob who has spent so much time and energy dedicated to the mission of PAL."

In addition to this gift to PAL, another $180,000 was donated to American's employee assistance fund (Family Fund) in Ciminelli's honor.  In all, American gifted $360,000 – or $10,000 for each year of Ciminelli's career at the airline – to the two nonprofits he supported most.

Ciminelli's aviation career spans four decades with American Airlines beginning in 1979 as an airport agent at Los Angeles International Airport. While he retired working in Dallas as American Airlines' vice president – Airport Integration, Ciminelli was in Philadelphia for 7 years as Vice President, Philadelphia Operation.  Prior to his tenure in Philadelphia, he was managing director at New York City's LaGuardia Airport having previously served in the same capacity at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Ciminelli has held several other management positions at airports in Washington, D.C., Nashville, TN and Raleigh-Durham, NC.

Since 2009, Ciminelli has dedicated his time and resources to support PAL's Golf Classic, Award Dinner, Adopt-A-Center Program, PAL Challenge Citywide Educational Tournament, as well as chairing the Board Development Committee and more. Ciminelli serves on the Board of Directors for the Police Athletic League and as Executive Sponsor of the Company's African-American Diversity Network (AADN). He was a 2014 PAL Award Recipient.  

"Bob is a tremendously generous individual who is dedicated to both American Airlines and PAL's mission of Cops Helping Kids.  His support over the years has meant so much to our PAL kids and the police officers who lead our centers each day.  His leadership and commitment to our organization is exemplary, and we're so pleased to call him our partner.  We wish him the best in his future endeavors," said Lt. Eddis, PAL's Commanding Officer.  "Thank you to American Airlines for honoring Bob's legacy in such a meaningful way."

"Perhaps what is most unique about Bob is not just his support of our organization, but his willingness to actively involve himself in the children's lives.  He loved spending time with the kids and teens we serve, and always made himself available for PAL's educational tournaments, events and holiday parties… he put the kids first in all he did.  We appreciate his outstanding support of our organization, and we're thankful for our continued partnership with American Airlines.  This gift will help PAL achieve greater outcomes for Philadelphia's youth," said Ted Qualli, PAL Executive Director. "Bob and his wife Joanne are true advocates of our organization, and we congratulate him on his retirement."

American Airlines gift comes at an exciting time for PAL. The organization has recently adopted a new five year strategic plan, developed in consultation with the highly regarded Bridgespan Group, and is expanding its reach in Philadelphia to serve more kids, in more centers, for more time.  American Airlines gift will support PAL's strategic initiatives and help PAL better meet the needs of its growing youth constituency.

(Source: American Airlines news release)

FMI: www.nationalpal.org