We are proud of our SkyWest people who help make us the premier regional airline. For Hispanic Heritage Month, we are pleased to highlight a few stories of our incredible SkyWest team members.
Manny M. – SHV Mechanic II
Growing up in the Atlanta metro area, Manny was surrounded by aviation. Watching aircraft fly overhead and traveling through one of the world’s busiest airports sparked an early fascination with industry.
“I remember seeing all the airplanes and thinking, ‘Wow, I’d love to be part of making that possible,’” Manny said.
After serving four years in the U.S. Marine Corps as an administrative specialist and later studying biology, Manny realized he wanted a more hands-on career. He earned his A&P certification in California and joined SkyWest when the opportunity arose to work at our newly opened maintenance base in Shreveport, Louisiana.
“I’ve never been treated so nicely at a company,” he said. “Everybody has been great to work with, and I’d absolutely recommend SkyWest to others.”
As a first-generation American whose parents are from Mexico, Hispanic Heritage Month is a chance for Manny to reflect on the values that have shaped him.
“It’s about remembering where I come from,” he said. “My parents taught me the importance of working hard, taking pride in what you do, being a good friend, and being someone people can count on.”
Manny also appreciates SkyWest’s welcoming culture and the opportunity to work alongside people with different backgrounds and perspectives.
“Being open to different viewpoints helps us work together, solve problems, and accomplish our goals,” he said. “That’s one of the things I really appreciate about SkyWest.”
Captain Dwight H. – PSP Supervisor Flight Operations
Born in Lima, Peru, Captain Dwight moved to California with his family when he was 12 years old. Although becoming a pilot had been a lifelong dream, he never imagined aviation could become a career for him.
“As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a pilot,” Captain Dwight said. “I just didn’t know how the industry worked or how to get there.”
In 2007, he began taking flying lessons on weekends and eventually became a flight instructor. Through networking and learning more about the aviation industry, he discovered SkyWest and joined the company in 2017.
Today, Captain Dwight serves as a line check airman and flight operations supervisor in Palm Springs. He says stepping into a leadership role gave him a deeper appreciation for the complexity of SkyWest’s operation and the people who made it successful.
“Every time I think about the scope of what we do and how many moving pieces it takes to keep everything running – it’s incredible,” he said. “I have a lot of admiration for the people in this industry.”
Family remains at the center of Captain Dwight’s life and is one of the values he credits to his Peruvian heritage.
“Family is really important,” he said. “It’s a core part of who I am and influences the decisions I make. It’s something I’m now passing on to my own children.”
When reflecting on Hispanic Heritage Month, Captain Dwight sees it as an opportunity to recognize diverse backgrounds and experiences.
“It’s a chance to appreciate different cultures and different paths,” he said. “We may come from different places, but we often share common goals and interests.”
After nearly a decade with SkyWest, Captain Dwight says he is grateful for the opportunities the company has provided and hopes to continue contributing to its success.
“I’m really grateful to be part of this company,” he said. “I believe in what we do and how we do it, and I appreciate the opportunities I’ve had here.”
Sabrina R. – COS Parts Manager
After 24 years in distribution and operations management, Sabrina decided she was ready for a new challenge. What began as a role in component services quickly turned into an opportunity for growth, leading her to the parts shop and, most recently, a promotion to parts manager.
Sabrina’s heritage reflects Mexican, Spanish and Native American roots, including Cherokee ancestry through her great-grandmother. She remains connected to her culture through family traditions and values.
“Family is really big for us,” she said. “Growing up, holidays were always about getting together. Whenever we have the chance to visit family, that’s something that’s really important to us.”
One thing that has stood out to Sabrina during her time at SkyWest is the diversity she sees across the company.
“I love the diversity here,” she said. “Meeting people from different backgrounds and cultures has been one of my favorite things. It creates a family feeling and helps everyone stay open-minded.”
For Sabrina, Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the traditions and experiences that shape each person’s story.
“It’s important to be proud of where you come from,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to embrace your heritage and share it with others. This is an opportunity to learn, celebrate and share the traditions that make us who we are.”
Medardo R. – SBP Cross Utilized Supervisor
When Medardo joined SkyWest, he wasn’t looking for a career in aviation.
“I wanted to try something different,” Medardo said. “SkyWest was growing in my community, and I wanted to be part of it.”
Medardo started as a cross utilized agent and initially felt out of place. But with support from his leaders and teammates, he quickly gained confidence and developed new skills. His willingness to learn, help others, and step up during challenges caught the attention of his manager, who encouraged him to pursue a leadership role.
“That’s what I like about SkyWest,” said Medardo. “I never thought I’d become a supervisor but my manager saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. People are willing to help you learn, grow, and move up.”
In thinking about Hispanic Heritage Month, Medardo reflects on the values and work ethic he learned from his family. His parents immigrated from Mexico and built their lives in California, where he was raised.
“My parents have had a huge impact on me,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to give back to them for everything they’ve done.”
One of the most meaningful parts of his SkyWest career has been the opportunity to do just that. Medardo has been able to travel with his mother and help his parents visit family and experience places they otherwise may not have had the opportunity to see.
“Being able to travel with my mom and help my parents visit family has been really special,” he said. “Those are experiences we didn’t always have before.”
Julisa V. – DTW Flight Attendant
Before coming to SkyWest, Julisa was a teacher. She helped students develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed. While she had found purpose in the classroom, Julisa eventually felt like it was no longer where she was meant to be.
Becoming a flight attendant at SkyWest has been a great decision because it has given her new opportunities while still using skills like communication, leadership, and adaptability that she developed as a teacher.
“In many ways, I’m still serving people every day,” Julisa said. “Instead of welcoming students into a classroom, I’m welcoming passengers onto an aircraft and helping create a positive experience for them.”
As a Latina, working in aviation holds special meaning for Julisa. She hopes her journey demonstrates that career paths are not always linear and that it is possible to pursue new opportunities, even when they feel outside of your comfort zone.
“I know what it’s like to wonder whether you belong in certain spaces,” Julisa said. “I’m proud to represent myself, my family, and my culture in an industry I never imagined being part of.”
Julisa says that Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate her heritage and encourage others to pursue goals that may initially seem out of reach.
“I am proud to be a Latina in aviation,” Julisa said. “My story is a reminder that your first career doesn’t have to be your final destination and starting over is not failure; it can be the beginning of discovering a new version of yourself.”
