ATLANTA (September 20, 2023) – Walter Banks and the Atlanta Braves have named Robert Bryant the 2023 Walter Banks Hospitality Award recipient. The award is given annually to a staff member who exemplifies extraordinary guest service in the mold of longtime Braves employee Walter Banks, who has been with the organization for 58 seasons.

Robert, or Mr. Robert as he is known around Truist Park, is in his 32^nd season with the Atlanta Braves. As the lead usher supervisor, Bryant assists supervisors and ushers to create the best gameday experience in professional sports. He embraces the Braves guest services directive and Walter Banks’ spirit, providing a “warm welcome and a fond farewell” to ensure the visit to Truist Park is one that guests will cherish for years to come.

Bryant is an exemplary employee and truly embodies all the qualities of a Walter Banks Hospitality Award winner: service, dedication, personalization, selflessness, and hospitality. Every game, Bryant smiles through service, executes hospitality, and extends himself beyond measure. Bryant has the consistent and unwavering ability to bring joy to those he encounters, by providing customer service that caters to fans in a way that represents the Braves organization well.

“I selected Mr. Robert because he has always exhibited consistency in his work for the Braves,” Walter Banks said about Bryant, “Each day he shows up for his peers, the fans, and the Braves organization. Over the years, I personally experienced Mr. Robert going above and beyond to ensure other staff and guests have a great experience while at Turner Field or Truist Park. His hospitality and commitment to service are integral components of his character and leadership style.”

The Braves will honor Bryant with a pregame ceremony on September 20.

The Walter Banks Hospitality Award, established in 2017, is given to the staff member who demonstrates the specific qualities of service, dedication, personalization, selflessness and hospitality that guests have come to identify with Banks.

Previous winners of the award include Jeanne Phillips, 2022, Bob Burkhardt, 2021, Alex Harris, 2020, Katelyn Shearron, 2019, Katie Hearn, 2018, and Jon Vazquez, 2017.