ATLANTA (September 18, 2018) - The Atlanta Braves named Katie Hearn the 2018 Walter Banks Award recipient in a pregame ceremony earlier tonight. The award is given annually to a game day staff member who exemplifies extraordinary customer service in the mold of longtime Braves employee, Walter Banks, who is closing out his 53rd Braves season.u5:p
Hearn has been a member of the Braves organization since 2015, first working as a game day staff member before starting in the digital marketing department in 2016 as a trainee and becoming a full-time staff member in November of 2016. She works every game day in the media command center at SunTrust Park, assisting the guest services staff as well as security by monitoring social media activity to ensure fans are having an enjoyable experience at the ballgame.u5:p
Off the field, Hearn serves as a daily inspiration to everyone at the Braves organization. Shortly after starting her role in digital marketing, she began to lose her vision. After several months and a series of tests, doctors diagnosed Hearn with pseudotumor cerebri. Hearn took time away from the organization to readjust to her new normal. She enrolled in vocational training to help with mobility and daily living skills.u5:p
Through it all, Hearn was determined to get back to the Braves and in January of 2018 she rejoined the team. Her dedication and love for the game is second-to-none and exemplifies the characteristics of the Walter Banks Award. u5:p
"Katie's strength and perseverance is unparalleled and we are all incredibly proud to have her in our Braves family," said Derek Schiller, Braves President and CEO. "Her dedication to ensuring our fans have an extraordinary experience at SunTrust Park is why she is more than deserving of this honor." u5:p
The Walter Banks Hospitality Award, established in 2017, is given to the staff member who embodies the specific qualities of service, dedication, personalization, selflessness and hospitality our guests have come to identify with Banks.u5:p
"I was adamant Katie be selected as this year's award recipient," said Walter Banks. "No one deserves to have their name enshrined at SunTrust Park more than her. She is an outstanding co-worker and I am lucky to call her my friend."u5:p