Susan Baer, aviation director for the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, will receive the Future of America Award from D.A.R.E. America.
The worldwide organization aims to provide the information and skills children and youth need to live drug- and violence free. Programs reach millions of schoolchildren each year in grades kindergarten through 12.
Baer, who has been aviation director since 2009, is the first woman in PANYNJ history to be so. She has been with the port authority since 1975, holding positions including deputy director/chief operating officer of aviation; general manager at John F. Kennedy International (JFK), Newark Liberty International (EWR), Teterboro (TEB) and LaGuardia (LGA) airports; manager of the port authority bus terminal and manager of the Lincoln Tunnel.
Baer found out about the award, for which she was nominated by an airport concessionaire, over the summer.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by members of such a prestigious organization as D.A.R.E., which does so much to help children lead safe and happy lives,” she says. “With three children in public school, I have firsthand experience with the value of the D.A.R.E. experience for kids, and I applaud the people of D.A.R.E. for the great work they do.”
Baer holds a bachelor’s degree in urban studies and anthropology from Barnard College and a master’s degree in business administration from New York University.
She will receive the award Dec. 1 during the Dare to Care Gala 2010 at the Metropolitan Club in New York City, N.Y. Other honorees include Chazz and Gianna Palminteri, who will receive The American Dream Award. Chazz Palminteri is known for writing and starring in “A Bronx Tale”; he and his wife, actress Gianna Palminteri, support an array of charitable organizations including The Creative Coalition, The Child Reach Foundation and the Cooley’s Anemia Foundation.
Ernie Anastos, an anchor at Fox 5, will serve as master of ceremonies; gala chairs are Giorgio Kolaj, founder and executive vice president of Famous Famiglia; Hon. Howard Safir, chairman and CEO of VRI Technologies LLC; and Robert J. Strang, chairman and CEO of Investigative Management Group.
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