A Massachusetts pipe fitter was named the voice of the Boston airport on Thursday, capping a statewide competition that drew thousands of applicants vying to be the one who welcomes travelers.
Chris Donisi of East Arlington, Mass., beat seven other finalists to become the inaugural voice of Boston Logan International Airport, Rich Davey, the chief executive of the Massachusetts Port Authority, announced during a local radio show.
Mr. Donisi was thrilled with his nomination, his Boston pride and hometown roots evident. “I can’t wait to get started,” Mr. Donisi said, ignoring the R and elongating the A in started.
He was quick to add: “Let’s go Boston,” or Bahhston, in his thick accent.
At a news conference on Thursday morning, Mr. Donisi, wearing a Boston Bruins hockey sweatshirt and a newsboy cap, said he was surprised to learn he had won the competition and was thrilled to represent his city.
“It was like fireworks,” said Mr. Donisi, who is an HVAC pipe fitter.
The search began in September after Boston Logan officials said that passengers had complained in surveys about the airport’s generic, “Anywhere, USA” atmosphere. The airport’s announcements have typically featured elected officials, including the Boston mayor, Michelle Wu, who grew up in Chicago, and Gov. Maura Healey, who was raised in southern New Hampshire.
The competition drew 6,000 submissions from Massachusetts residents who recorded a video using a script stacked with words meant to capture the quintessential Boston dialect. That pool was narrowed to eight finalists, including Mr. Donisi.
Mr. Donisi told 7 News Boston that he had submitted his audition just three days before the deadline after his mother encouraged him to apply.
According to the contest’s guidelines, the winner must achieve “effortless understanding” and “crystal clarity,” while also sounding “natural” and “friendly.” More than 35,000 people cast their votes in late October, according to the port authority, landing on Mr. Donisi as the voice of their city.
His voice will be broadcast to the millions of travelers who annually pass through Boston’s Logan airport beginning in mid-November, 7 News Boston reported.
Mr. Donisi, who will be paid for his voice work, told 7 News Boston the real prize was the reaction of his two children, who were overjoyed when they saw him on television.
“I won, in that instance, I really did, just to see their face,” Mr. Donisi said. “They were so proud of their dad.”
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