|
Ruben Trejo
|
As we travel into this new decade and century, we continue to search for
ways to improve our lifestyles and businesses. The community of San Pedro
has been known to always move ahead for the betterment of all. As we
enter the year 2000, businesses have ensured they are up-to-date with the
ever changing technology and operations. Those of us fortunate to have
lived to see it, put emphasis on surpassing people's expectations in our
daily work, something we strive for, today and in the past. What better
way of explaining this motivation than by featuring a young man who has
proven that dreams can come true if one really desires - Mr. Ruben Trejo,
Chief Pilot for Maya Island Air.
Born to Fernando and Fe Trejo, Ruben was the youngest
in a family of five sisters and four brothers. He grew up living a humble
life in the laid-back village of San Pedro, attending San Pedro Roman
Catholic School and High School graduating in 1984. Having completed his
high school education he was faced with the reality of choosing a job.
Ruben knew exactly what he wanted. As a young boy he was fascinated by
the sights and sounds of the small aircraft departing the San Pedro
Airstrip and disappearing into the deep blue sky. The thought of him
being the one piloting the aircraft exhilarated him. He knew that this
was his calling but reality soon struck and for a variety of reasons he
was unable to pursue his dreams at the time. In the interim, he went to
work with Mr. Ray Bowers. Being at sea for about two weeks made him
realize that life as a seaman was not to his liking and soon after he
left this job.
Ruben's dreams of becoming a pilot were not totally
shattered, so in an effort to be closer to his dream he went to work for
Tropic Air as a baggage handler. He saw this as the beginning of a
possible career in the aviation business. His perseverance paid off four
years later when he was offered an opportunity by his brother Nando, a
pilot himself, to study aviation abroad.
In 1988, Ruben eagerly left San Pedro for Hydes Aviation
School in Ohio, USA to realize his dreams of becoming a commercial pilot.
He endured six months of dedicated studying and training while working
part-time as a janitor to earn some pocket money. Ruben was rewarded by
being certified as a multi-engine instrument commercial pilot, the
requirement to fly in Belize.
Back in San Pedro he returned to Tropic Air. For five
months he accumulated the flying hours required to fly commercially. In
1989, his brother Mr. Fernando Trejo, started his own airline, naming it
Island Air. Ruben proudly joined the airline's ranks as a pilot. Shortly
after one year of business, Island Air expanded to include more aircrafts
and employees and Ruben was promoted to Chief Pilot. With Island Air's
progress came new models of airplanes, so Ruben returned to the US to
undergo the training needed for the newly acquired aircraft. This time it
was a type-rating course for a Piper Navajo in Lakeland, Florida.
His training over and his job secured, Ruben joined
his life in marriage to Johnna Pearly on November
11th, 1995. They are
the proud parents of a lovely two and a half year-old daughter, Lauren
Virginia.
In December of 1997, Island Air merged with Maya
Airways to form Maya Island Air. Today Ruben supervises thirteen pilots,
making sure that day-to-day operations are running smooth. He says the
main priority of the Chief Pilot is to make certain the rest of the team
maintains professionalism, good behavior and a good attitude towards
their clients. Mr. Trejo has been living his dream for over ten years
now. Ruben told the San Pedro Sun, "From
the time I started working in the aviation business, I have seen a
drastic increase in tourism. I believe this is a direct result of our
expansion."
Ruben Trejo looks into the future with great
enthusiasm. He foresees himself in the business for quite a long period.
The days of looking into the sky for the passing airplanes is over for
him. It is now someone else's turn to look up as Ruben flies off into the
deep blue sky, a man responsible for safely flying passengers to their
destination - "Our Community".
|