HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year LPA members. It is an honor and privilege to write this letter as your new LPA President. I am the daughter of Colombian immigrants, Jesus Hernan Zapata and Gladys Zapata. My passion for aviation was sparked when my father was hired by People Express Airlines in the 1980's, which later merged with Continental Airlines. My love for aviation continued when I worked as a crew scheduler at AirTran Airways. I later became a flight attendant for Delta Air Lines where I pursued my flight ratings and certificates, while working full time. I left Delta Air Lines and began working at Atlantic Southeast Airlines as a first officer on the CRJ-200, and where I was a part of the Air Line Pilots Association's (ALPA) Central Air Safety Committee, tasked with reducing flight attendant injuries due to turbulence. I was hired by United Airlines in 2015, where I am currently a Captain on the A320 based out of Denver. I am also the Vice-Chair for ALPA National's Diversity, Equity, Belonging and Inclusion committee. I am truly humbled by the trust that has been placed in me to run the LPA.

THE FOUNDATION TO BUILD UPON

I must first thank founder and former President, Jerry Dooyes, and the rest of the founders of the LPA: Michael Cerrato-Yeomans, Gabe Quintana, Nicholas Sorkki and Merrill Sutton. These founding members worked tirelessly since 2015 to lay the foundation in which we will build upon to expand the LPA’s outreach efforts as we continue to inspire, mentor, and support the next generation of Latin aerospace professionals. I would also like to take this time to thank all of our current and past volunteers of our organization.

VICE PRESIDENT

This is an impressive task that I cannot do alone. I need a leader by my side that I respect and trust, and who will complement my leadership style with leadership abilities of their own. The Vice President role in any organization is critical as they run the day to day administration of staff and volunteers and oversee the execution of programs, services and community outreach. I was thrilled when Trevor Terrell agreed to be Vice President. Trevor has served in multiple roles internally at the LPA and has been a member of this organization since the beginning. Trevor brings a wealth of organizational leadership experience from his time in the US Military working in Logistics Management and has worked in various aerospace careers including Aerospace Manufacturing - Customer Program Management, Airline Gate Agent, Flight Attendant, Assistant Director of Safety and is currently a B757/B767 First Officer flying for Delta Air Lines. He has also served in various leadership roles for numerous non-profit organizations and obtained his Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate, Project Management Certificate and a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate (Organization Continuous Improvement). 

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES

I am excited for the many new opportunities for our LPA membership to step into leadership and organizational support roles that will be announced in the coming days. As we create new opportunities to volunteer within the LPA, we will need leaders that will embody professionalism, respect, responsiveness and most importantly a passion to help our communities.

UPCOMING ANNOUNCEMENTS

We have several exciting announcements over the next few days, weeks and months ahead. Please keep an eye out for future communications from myself and Trevor. We are excited for the future of LPA and cannot wait to see the new heights we will reach together “Unidos” in 2023!

Unidos Mejoramos,

Claudia Zapata-Cardone

President

LPA