Throughout February we’re celebrating Black History Month by recognizing and celebrating the unique stories from members of our SkyWest team. Read on to see how their background and heritage have played a role in their aviation journey.

Nakida F. – DTW Flight Attendant

From the time she was a kindergartner, Nakida knew she wanted to pursue a career in aviation.

“I still remember being told that I could never ever pursue, and accomplish a career in aviation, even though it was my heart’s desire,” Nakida recalled. “Today, I stand as proof of how far we’ve come.”

Nakida says she was drawn to SkyWest because of our flexibility of various base options, reputation for financial stability, and commitment to teamwork and inclusion.

“SkyWest has built a culture where ‘people first’ is not just a motto, but a way of life,” Nakida said. “This embracing of all backgrounds has led to their recognition as a best employer. It is a place where everyone, regardless of color or culture, is celebrated.”

Nakida believes that our history isn’t just a past to remember, it’s the foundation upon which we build our future. She chooses to celebrate Black History Month by learning about the heroes who have paved the way before her.

“Each step I take in my journey honors the legacy of those who fought for my right to dream – and to live that dream fully.”

Nakida holds a deep sense of gratitude for the trailblazers who forged the path for future generations. This includes one of her personal heroes, her grandfather, who had the opportunity to help proofread and edit the “I Have a Dream” speech given by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at his dinner table.

“My grandfather fought for the civil rights that now have given us protections, he marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., for all people to be seen as equal,” Nakida said. “It is because of his struggle and sacrifices that I now have the opportunity to live the life my ancestors could only imagine.”

Raysean M. – PDX ERJ First Officer

Raysean grew up travelling and had always been enthralled with flying. As a child he was amazed by the way airplanes seemed to defy gravity and he always wanted to learn more about how they worked. 

“As I got older, I realized that aviation wasn’t just a dream; it was a career path I could pursue,” Raysean recalled. “Through organizations like OBAP (Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals), I found the mentorship and support I needed to turn my fascination into reality”

Raysean says he came to SkyWest because he wanted to be part of a company that values diversity and growth. Throughout his time at the airline he has appreciated the supportive environment, strong training programs, and the chance to fly across diverse routes.

“SkyWest has provided me with opportunities to grow as a pilot and continue inspiring the next generation of aviators,” Raysean said.

Inspiring others is especially meaningful this month as he honors the contributions, struggles, and achievements of Black individuals throughout history.

“In aviation, where representation has historically been limited, it’s especially important to recognize those who paved the way for future generations,” Raysean explained. “By sharing our stories, we continue to break barriers and inspire others to pursue their dreams, no matter the obstacles.”

Raysean’s biggest motivation is his father, who was born in Trinidad and overcame many challenges to come to the United States and pursue the American dream.

“Through his hard work and determination, he was able to provide opportunities for me that he never had,” Raysean said. “His journey reminds me daily that perseverance and dedication can open doors that once seemed impossible. His story fuels my passion for aviation and my commitment to uplifting others along the way.”

Today we honor the heroes around us – the more than 15.8 million courageous United States Veterans who have dedicated and sacrificed their lives to protecting our freedoms and safety. Their service has shaped our nation’s history, helped preserve our values, and secured our future. Today, and every day, we salute our Veterans and extend our heartfelt thanks for their service.

At SkyWest, we are proud to have so many Veterans on our team. We are honored to work alongside these exceptional individuals who continually demonstrate dedication and integrity. Read what some of them had to share about their time in the military below.

Taylor G. – Army National Guard

Taylor G. has always had a sense of duty. Despite not having anyone in his family serve in the military, he knew it was something he could do. After joining SkyWest as a flight attendant and returning to Salt Lake City, he finally had the time. So, he enlisted in the Army National Guard in May 2019 and went off to a few grueling months of Basic Training.

“It was really hard,” he explained. “You are brought down super low, and I would sit in bed questioning what I am doing, but it was really humbling. It was a few months of pure agony and then after all of that, you feel so relieved and accomplished. My proudest moment was graduating from basic training.”

Right after graduation, he got a call from his sergeant that Taylor made it just in time to deploy with them to Afghanistan. Despite thinking it was a joke at first, it quickly became real and in May 2020 he deployed. The COVID-19 pandemic added an extra layer of challenge, with isolation protocols and unique transport methods using Delta’s Hospital Mobile Pods.

“It felt very apocalyptic,” Taylor added. “But the weird thing for me was getting on the aircraft to deploy and taking weapons on the aircraft with us. As a flight attendant, it felt so wrong.”

Today, Taylor serves as an aviation operations specialist, communicating with helicopters almost like an air traffic controller. The job can be chaotic, but Taylor enjoys being at the heart of operations and distributing crucial information.

“We stay in touch with them every 30 minutes, keep track of any changes, and report what is happening on the missions to headquarters,” he said.

At SkyWest, Taylor works as an InFlight ground instructor, sharing his knowledge and experience with other flight attendants. He credits SkyWest’s flexibility for his ability to balance his military and civilian careers, on top of being a new father. Yet, it is his passion for aviation and his positive attitude that has gotten him through and even motivated him to continue growing his career.

“I have always loved being a flight attendant and being a ground instructor is super fun, but I also love that SkyWest is such a career-oriented place and I am actually taking the opportunity to move up to the front seat,” he explained. “Whenever I have time, I am up in the air getting my hours and working towards becoming a SkyWest pilot.”

Reflecting on his two jobs, Taylor shared: “I have learned so much from both and they both have helped me be a well-rounded person. I can apply a lot of things that I learned in training to SkyWest and vice versa. SkyWest is such a family company. We all have our different interests, but it is so cool that we all come together to share and go after the different things that are important to us.”

Tanita L. – Navy

In 2007, driven by a desire for discipline and new experiences, Flight Attendant Tanita Lewis made the life-changing decision to join the Navy.

“I needed to leave home and experience life outside of my norm,” Tanita shared.

Choosing the Navy was a natural choice for her. She has always loved the ocean and the allure of living on the water and the unique opportunities it presented were irresistible. Tanita was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, and worked as an Aviation Boatswain Mate Handler (ABH).

“I worked with the launching, recovering, and securing of aircraft to the flight deck,” Tanita explained. “I was also part of the crash and salvage team, acting as a firefighter and first responder if an aircraft crashed on the flight deck.”

One of the proudest moments during Tanita’s service was being assigned to a ship that was still under construction.

“When I got to my duty station, it was still on land,” Tanita said. “Within two years, it was complete, and I became a plank owner, meaning I was one of the first sailors assigned to that specific ship.”

The ship, the USS George H.W. Bush, was commissioned on Jan. 10, 2009, in a ceremony attended by the Bush family. The event was memorable for all involved and is one of her proudest moments.

After leaving the Navy in 2012 after five years of service, Tanita pursued her dream of becoming a flight attendant. Encouraged by a friend and guided towards SkyWest, Tanita was hired in June 2023.

“Being a flight attendant is a career I always wanted to pursue, but it just wasn’t the right time before,” she said. “My military experience, with the discipline I received and the ability to adapt to changes, has greatly impacted my career at SkyWest.”

For those considering joining the military, Tanita suggests that they have an open mind, do their research, and make sure that the military is what you really want to do.

“Don’t be afraid to chase your dreams,” Tanita added. “I wasn’t afraid, and I did everything I ever wanted to do.”

Chris D. – Army National Guard

Boise Mechanic III Chris D. enlisted in the military on May 31, 1989, the day he says he was born – born into the military life. Motivated by a desire for experience and inspired by his father, a Navy Air Corps WWII veteran, Chris sought to gain the unique “superpower” his father possessed.

“I wanted to gain the knowledge that my dad had about people, life, and not being afraid,” Chris shared. “I couldn’t have had a better father.”

Chris chose the Idaho Army National Guard, drawn by the opportunity to become a helicopter crew chief and for the chance to fly, if he wanted. In addition, he felt that this branch offered him the chance for “self-guided excellence,” allowing him to choose what he wanted to do.

Chris was first assigned as an Apache Crew Chief and later acquired additional specialized roles, including HAZMAT NCO and Unit Movement NCO. He also served as a Training/Readiness NCO, thanks to his commander’s suggestion.

“There was an opening for a Training and readiness NCO and my commander told me to put in an application,” Chris explained. “I said, ‘What? I am not good at that. That isn’t me. I am too slow.’ But my commander responded saying, ‘No, you are cutting yourself short. I believe in you. You will do a good job.’ So, I found out I was good at things that I never thought I would be good at.”

That same commander inspired him once again when he asked him to do something, and Chris questioned why he chose him to complete the task.

“I realized he chose me because he had faith in me,” Chris explained. “He saw things in me that I didn’t see in myself, and my questions turned into thank yous.”

Another impactful moment during Chris’s service was dedicating a flag to his father.

“You can take a flag, dedicate it to someone, and have it flown in combat,” Chris explained. “So, I wrote down that I was dedicating my flag to my father, World War II Veteran, hero, and best friend.”

The pilot read the dedication and walked right over to Chris. He was struck by the significance of flying the flag as a tribute to Chris’s father and to those who had fought before them. It was the present honoring the past, bridging the gap between generations of soldiers, and flying that flag became the high point of Chris’s service and the pilot’s as well.

“The military is an opportunity and not a sentence,” Chris said. “It is a vehicle that will get you where you want to go.”

During his time in the military, Chris gained a strong work ethic and a sense of initiative that he applies to his work at SkyWest and his daily life. He also learned that you never know what you are good at until you try it, that life is what you make of it, that showing respect leads to opportunities and that sometimes you just have to put your foot out there.

During his service, Chris was deployed to Khost, Afghanistan, also known as FOB Salerno, and later worked on a DOD contract at Tarin Kowt for a year.

“We give up our blood and the best of our lives AND our lives so that others will be able to self-determine according to their own dictates,” Chris said. “This is why we fight. You love what you serve and serve what you love. Now more than ever I love my country.”

Thank you all for your service.

November is Native American Heritage Month, and SkyWest is committed to recognizing and 
celebrating the rich cultures of our Indigenous employees. Check out what a few of our people have to say about their heritage and how they continue to honor and appreciate family and cultural traditions.

Tamera H. – Crew Scheduler, HDQ

Captivated by the tales of her grandfather’s journey to the other side of the globe to fight in WWII, Tamera was inspired to explore the world. This deep love of travel is what eventually led her to SkyWest in 2019. 

“Growing up, our grandparents were our heroes,” Tamera explained. “My grandfather was a Navajo Code Talker during WWII who used his unbreakable language to serve in the 4th Marine Division, 25th Regiment, H&S Company. He fought in Saipan, Iwo Jima, Kwajalein, Tinian, and the Marshall Islands.” 

It wasn’t until the Code Talkers were officially recognized in 1982 that his family learned about his heroic contributions during the war. 

Since then, Tamera’s grandfather has had the opportunity to share more about his cultural heritage, traditional upbringing, and experiences in the war, with students in schools throughout the U.S. and Japan. Tamera feels deeply privileged to have accompanied him to many of these speaking engagements, witnessing firsthand the impact of his stories and the inspiration they bring to audiences. 

For Tamera, honoring her heritage means keeping her grandfather’s legacy alive. And while she herself did not grow up in a traditional way, learning about her family’s history has deepened her connection to her roots. She strives to honor the teachings and traditions passed down from her grandparents and she attends powwows to share her grandfather’s story.

Michelle I. – CRJ First Officer, PHX

Michelle is proud to be celebrating her heritage throughout the month and is excited for others to recognize the contributions of Native Americans. She also hopes that awareness will help inspire the next generation of Native Americans to pursue their dreams and aspirations, like she did, with aviation.

Michelle was first drawn to SkyWest because of its renowned family atmosphere, and she has appreciated the deep sense of belonging she has experienced during her time here.

“SkyWest has always had a reputation for being a company where all people are welcome,” Michelle said. “And I’ve certainly felt that since I’ve started!”

Maintaining her connection to her heritage is very important for Michelle. She celebrates her culture by spending time with family in Sanders, Arizona on the Navajo Nation and attending cultural events and festivals.

Michelle reveres her grandmother, who was a single mother that raised five kids on the reservation. They had no running water and had to walk about a half mile to a well for their fresh water. Every day, Michelle’s mother and her sisters also had to bike 45 minutes to get to the nearest school. 

“My grandmother’s tenacity and determination to successfully raise her children even in these circumstances has made her one of my biggest role models,” Michelle said. “She always radiates positivity and kindness, and one day I hope to take her as a passenger on one of my flights, to show her my gratitude for all of the sacrifices she made to get my family to this point.”

This month we’ve been inspired hearing from SkyWest employees about their experiences with cancer in all its forms. This includes Holly K., Chelsea D., Melani E., and Tracy P., who have each faced the challenge of a breast cancer diagnosis. Though their cancer journeys are unique, they are all powerful examples of hope and unwavering optimism.

Holly K. – Technical Publications Writer at HDQ

In October 2023, Holly noticed a small lump, right up against her chest wall that could have easily been mistaken as part of her left pectoral muscle.

“I am a runner,” Holly explained “I’m very lean and toned so I didn’t think much about it.”

Holly went about her life as normal. In April of this year, when it became clear that the spot had grown into a definite lump, she knew she needed to look into the situation more. She received her first mammogram and went in for a biopsy that later came back positive for Multicentric Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Breast Cancer.

In June 2024, Holly began her journey to recovery. 

She has had four rounds of chemo and discovered she was allergic to the prescribed nausea drug. She then started a new chemo drug for 12 weekly treatments but also had allergic reactions. For the next round, Holly plans to try a different drug in hopes of a better response.

“Besides all the bumps in the road I’ve dealt with so far, I’m grateful for the ability I’ve had to work through most of the treatment, as well as to continue running,” Holly said. “I have radiation still to look forward to, as well as immunotherapy before I can say I’m the fourth breast cancer survivor in the MX Department at HDQ.”

Holly finds ways to enjoy life during treatment by continuing to pursue her passions. She has kept up with her fitness and stays active as a way to help eliminate some of the effects from chemo.

When she started losing her hair, Holly and her husband Charles decided to shave their heads together. Since then, Holly has had a lot of fun dressing up in different wigs to wear for work. She is grateful to her colleagues for providing such an incredible support system during this time.

“I want to thank Lora O., Stephanie B., and Ginny T., who have battled and beat this cancer and been a light to help me through my own journey,” Holly said. “I’m also so grateful for my department and others at SkyWest who continue to show their love and support as I beat this thing.”

Chelsea D. – Flight Attendant based in IAH

Shortly after being hired on at SkyWest, Chelsea received a life changing diagnosis. 

“I am currently battling metastatic breast cancer with significant metastases of leptomeningeal disease in both my brain and spine.” Chelsea said. 

She explains that there is a significant lack of understanding and funding for this type of metastases in breast cancer patients because it is a very rare occurrence, and she hopes to bring more awareness to it by sharing her experience.

“I am fighting for my life and I am eternally grateful for SkyWest’s support,” Chelsea said. Every day, Chelsea counts her blessings and she extends her gratitude to her friends and colleagues who have rallied around her while she continues to battle her disease. Through it all, Chelsea has exemplified true grit and perseverance. She is determined to stay positive and describes herself as a “tenacious warrior.”

“I will see victory through this,” Chelsea exclaims. “Until then, fly high my friends, and keep fighting for me too!”

Melani E. – Flight Attendant based in AUS

Melani’s journey with breast cancer began in May 2021. She went in for her annual checkup and discovered a small mass, and immediately had markers placed for a biopsy.

While she was on a trip waiting to swap planes, her doctor called to confirm her test results were positive and that she would need to schedule appointments with the cancer team. Refusing to let her diagnosis get her down, she continued to cheerfully carry on.

Throughout the treatment process Melani kept up her positive attitude and was determined to live by the motto, “Let faith be bigger than your fear.”

“I can’t control the cancer or all the ‘what ifs,'” Melani said. “The whole ordeal was not what I ever expected to happen to me; I’ve always taken care of myself and tried to stay as healthy as I can.”

Melani’s double mastectomy reconstruction surgery was a success and her recovery went smoothly. She has officially been cancer free for two years now.

“I feel so glad to have found my breast cancer early on,” Melani said. “I always spread the word to young flight attendants I fly with to get their annual breast screening and not to take it lightly.”

Tracy P. – Flight Attendant based in ORD

Tracy is approaching three years of being cancer free. Though her valiant battle with breast cancer took a toll, she believes that she has come out the other side stronger than ever. 

“Being diagnosed with breast cancer took so much from me,” Tracy recalled. “Cancer robbed me of my confidence, looks, and energy. But it also gave me the strength, courage, and resilience to fight.”

Tracy has had to learn to adjust to many physical and emotional changes, both during and after cancer treatments. One of the most challenging aspects of Tracy’s cancer journey has been the impact on her appearance. She struggled with accepting the person she saw reflected in the mirror, but, over time, she conquered that as well.

“I realized that the loss of hair and my scars do not define me as a person,” Tracy said. “But they are a powerful symbol of my survival.”

Tracy has a deep sense of gratitude for life and strives to fill each day with purpose and intention. She surrounds herself with family and friends that bring her joy, and she looks forward to the future.

“After going through bad things, I really appreciate all the good,” Tracy said. “Every day, my life becomes more precious and filled with purpose.”

Thank you, Holly, Chelsea, Melani, and Tracy, for sharing your stories with us. We are inspired by your strength and we invite everyone to join in the fight against cancer by ensuring that you and your loved ones receive regular screenings. You can also visit United Healthcare’s preventive care checklist tool to see what exams you might expect at your next checkup.

If you haven’t already, be sure to read other stories that have been shared this month, including our SBN maintenance team’s support for women battling cancer within their community.