Amber Thorbjornsen inspires others and helps the
community as general manager for ABM Aviation
Amber Thorbjornsen has been the general manager of taxi dispatch for ABM Aviation for over eight years.
2021 AIRPORT V 18 OICE WOMAN OF ACHIEVEMENT
She is the first female general manager in
ABM for the Port Authority NY and NJ contracts
and Thorbjornsen says that throughout
her career she has “seen many firsts for her age
and gender for the positions” she has held. These
many accomplishments are surely accredited
to her commitment to constantly growing and
learn. In her own words, “I don’t know if I am
someone who can settle and be comfortable.”
Thorbjornsen initially started out in an entirely
different industry, overseeing parking operations
for hospitals in the Northwell Health
system when an opportunity was presented to
her as an operations manager of parking for John
F. Kennedy Airport and she gladly accepted, calling
it “one of the best decisions of my life.”
While Thorbjornsen’s confidence and optimistic
outlook has led her to where she is today, she
does not measure her success with titles and accolades
so much as her ability to help others and
inspire positive change for her colleagues and
the community that she works in.
“I feel that success will follow when you lead
with good intentions. Through ABMCares, we
have held multiple toy drives, food drives and
fundraisers that have impacted the local Queens
Community,” said Thorbjornsen. “One of my favorite
events was “Ducks for Heroes.” We hand
wrote thank you letters to the frontline responders
accompanied by doctor, nurse, police, and
fireman ducks as a special way to say thank you
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
HOMETOWN: Suffolk County, NY
HOBBY: mountain hiking
FAVORITE BOOK: The Go Giver by Bob Burg
and John Mann
FAVORITE MOVIE: Gattaca
TRAVEL GOAL: Norway (Again & Again)
FAVORITE QUOTE OR MOTTO: “Don’t chase
success. Decide to make a difference and success
will find you.” Jon Gordon
2021 Airport Voice
Woman of Achievement
Airport Voice
during the height of the pandemic.”
Thorbjornsen did not go a traditional route in
achieving her success, and her mindset offers inspiration
to anyone pursuing their dreams.
“My advice is not to let anything stop you. I
don’t have a fancy degree or any experience in
aviation, but I went for it anyway,” said Thorbjornsen.
“Employers like ABM look for people on
their team who are committed and determined.
Job functions can be learned but you can’t teach
someone work ethic and a desire to do more for
themselves and the company.”
TERMINAL ONE GROUP ASSOCIATION, L.P.
and the Four Partner Airlines
Congratulations The 2021 Women of Achievement
Kimberly HardyMcKissack &
McKissack Maria
AlonsoVaughn College Tracy
SanfordLaGuardia Gateway
Partners Patricia ZugibeHolt
Construction Clorinda
AntonucciJFK Chamber
Commerce Lisa
HollandSheltair Amber
Thorbjornsen ABM Kathy
Roberts, Kathy Noel
Worldwide Flight Services
Lucia OswaldGlobal Elite
Security Lillian TanFraport
Sharon MurrayJFKIAT
Rafaella FigueroaSwissport
Mina AzarAlpha Priority
Kimberly MaddoxAvPorts
Laura Garland, Carrol
BennettPort Authority Sadiqa
CodringtonGateway JFK
Martine DuphrezinRCGA+
DM Architects Malikka
KarteronCEO Global 25
Wanda SampleAvalon Risk
Kelly Loveman VRH
Construction