Hey #Roommates, for today’s dose of #BlackGirlMagic, we want to introduce you to a 29-year-old woman making big moves in the aviation business! If you didn’t think there were any black-owned airlines, think again because Sherrexcia “Rexy” Rolle is one of the youngest women calling the shots in this largely male-dominated industry.
Rolle serves as the VP of Operations and General Counsel for Western Air, a Bahamian black-owned airline that reportedly has a net worth of over $90 million. Her parents started the business back in 2001 to serve islanders who found it difficult to travel around.
“Even though we have a very efficient government airline in the Bahamas, there were certain islands that were not being targeted for our consumers to have a convenient way to travel. This is where our airline comes in and once we recognized those gaps in the market, we were able to convince our investors why our airline is needed,” she said in an interview with Bauce Magazine.
As far as earning her respect in the industry, Rolle says she has to stay confident and focused on her mission to seal the deal. “The minute I sense a meeting has turned beyond the level of business, I shut it down immediately,” she explained. “I learned that if you want people to take you seriously, especially in this industry where I have to constantly negotiate claims and deal with serious regulations, you must be confident in what you know and only do business with people who are focused on the mission in sealing the deal.”
Today, the airline mainly serves the Caribbean with direct flights to Haiti, Cuba, Jamaica. Florida is the next destination soon to come!
TSR STAFF: Myeisha E.! @myeisha.essex Photo credit; Sherrexcia ‘Rexy’ Rolle — Facebook
