A Career in Construction Serves as Inspiration to
Career in Compliance as V.P of Program Management
WOMEN of ACHIEVEMENT
OCCUPATION /POSITION: Executive VP of Program
Management
EMPLOYER- Crescent Consulting
HOMETOWN- New York
HOBBY- Reading
FAVORITE BOOKS- Anything by Wahida Clark
FAVORITE MOVIES- Mildred Pierce
HAPPY PLACE- Home
FAVORITE QUOTE OR MOTTO- I have several
“It is what it is” – for those who never want to accept
the truth.
“If it is you or me you lose” – for those who either
want to see me fail or those who
attempt to sabotage me.
“They whisper your successes and scream your
failures” – this is a favorite saying used
by 18-year-old nephew, and quickly became a favorite
of mine.
Police Chief Enjoys Giving Back to Her Community
8 AIRPORT VOICE, APRIL 2019
and Making a Difference
BY JESSICA MILITELLO
Chief Gloria Frank has worked for the Port Authority
Police Department for over 20 years but has
had a career in serving the community and giving
back to others for much longer.
Frank has been dedicated to helping others. Currently
as the police chief of PAPD, Frank is responsible
for supervising John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia,
Newark, and Teterboro airports, among many other
roles. She is an FBI National Academy graduate and
a Certified Airport Employee in Airport Security.
For Frank, her role is much more than a job, it
is a way to reach out to individuals in the city she
works in.
“Knowing that I have assisted someone accomplish
something that they may have not been able to
do without my help makes me happy. In the end I get
a sense of satisfaction,” said Frank.
After earning her bachelor’s degree in sociology
from Hunter College, Frank went on to work for
New York City Child Protective Services as a case
worker. Years later, she changed roles by becoming
a probation officer. When a friend approached Frank
with an opportunity to take the police examination,
she went for it. Frank enjoyed the role of helping the
public and moved into a role in the PAPD. In her role,
she has taken on many important responsibilities
such as serving in commands in major airports of
New York and New Jersey. In 2008, Frank served as
the inspector at The World Trade Center during the
rebuilding of the World Trade Center site. It was her
role to lead her fellow Port Authority Police Department
through the rebuilding process. In addition
to all of these impressive roles in her career, Frank
earned her master’s degree in human resources and
development from Seton Hall University in 2012.
Throughout Frank’s many responsibilities in
serving the community, her enjoyment of helping
others in addition to her optimistic outlook has certainly
contributed to where she is now.
“You need to be passionate about what you do,”
said Frank. “Never give up and use negative experience
as a tool to do better. Continuing education
and training within your field is a key to being successful.”
BY JESSICA MILITELLO
Yvette Dennis has spent her entire career working
in the construction industry, long before there
were many women involved. She is now the vice
president of program management for Crescent Consulting
and strives to make sure all construction
sites are in compliance.
Dennis was recently named the lead consultant
on the new John F. Kennedy airport redevelopment
project. She also has affiliations with the aviation
industry through her work with the JFK Chamber
of Commerce, and the JFK Rotary Club. In her role
as vice president of program managing, Dennis personally
goes on-site to clients locations for work and
ensures that all compliance is being met in addition
to many other duties.
Dennis’ extensive years of working on construction
sites in the beginning of her career has certainly
been a source of inspiration for what she does
now.
“Back then it wasn’t woman-friendly, nowhere
near as it is now,” said Dennis. “And it’s still hard.
It was extremely hard as a Black woman; you expect
challenges, but that’s what made me fight so hard.
That’s what made me so passionate because I totally
understood.”
Dennis first worked as a compliance officer. At
that time, she was only the second Black woman
ever to be involved. Oftentimes there would be
inadequate working conditions, such as a lack
of both men and women’s changing facilities, instances
of sexual harassment, and examples of
women missing out on learning skills because of
being sent out for menial tasks, such as getting
coffee. As Dennis continued working in the construction
industry and moving up in the area, she
attended school to earn her bachelor’s degree in
construction management from the Institute of
Design and Construction.
Now, as vice president of program management,
Dennis believes that what she does in her career is
truly what she was meant to do.
“At the very early age of 16 I showed an interest
in the construction arena,” said Dennis. “My father
wasn’t too happy because the industry was a lot less
woman and minority friendly than it is now. But it
eventually became apparent this was my calling.”
WOMEN of ACHIEVEMENT
OCCUPATION /POSITION: PAPD POLICE CHIEF
EMPLOYER: PORT AUTHORITY OF NY AND NJ
POLICE DEPARTMENT
HOMETOWN: ROCKVILLE CENTRE, LONG ISLAND,
NY
MENTOR: MY PARENTS (THE POWER OF A PARENT
SHOULD NEVER BE UNDERESTIMATED.
MY PARENTS HELPED SHAPE WHO I AM TODAY.
THEY INSTILLED A STRONG SENSE OF HARD
WORK AND ALWAYS TOLD ME TO NEVER GIVE
UP.)
HOBBY: SOUL CYCLE
FAVORITE BOOKS: AFTER THE BIRTH OF MY
DAUGHTER APPROXIMATELY 3 YRS. AGO I
SHIFTED MY FOCUS AND ENJOY READING A VARIETY
OF CHILDREN’S BOOKS TO MY DAUGHTER
FAVORITE MOVIES: I ENJOY WATCHING A VARIETY
OF DISNEY TELEVISION SHOWS WITH
MY DAUGHTER. MICKEY MOUSE CLUB IS DEFINITELY
ON THE TOP OF THE LIST.
HAPPY PLACE: BEING IN THE PRESENCE OF
MY DAUGHTER
FAVORITE QUOTE OR MOTTO: “EVERY DAY I
AWAKEN I AM GRATEFUL. MY INTENT IS TO BE
TOTALLY PRESENT IN THAT DAY. AND LAUGH
AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.”-MAYA ANGELOU
- Maya Angelou