CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS - VOL. 2
Frances M. Velazquez
CURRENT POSITION
Air Traffic Control Specialist—Aviation Weather Subject Matter Expert
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Lockheed Martin Vega 5B
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Never underestimate the power of a girl with a book.”
– Ruth Bader Ginsburg
FUN FACT
My three favorite childhood books were about flight: The Little Prince, The Story of a Seagull and the Cat Who Taught Her to Fly, and Jonathan Livingston Seagull.
Eryka Silva
CURRENT POSITION
Republic Airways Pilot in Training
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Cessna 172
FAVORITE QUOTE
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
–Proverbs 27:17
FUN FACT
I love nature, but I’m afraid of mosquitos!
Leena Carvalho
CURRENT POSITION
Naval Academy Graduate/Naval Air Station Pensacola Student Pilot
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Lockheed Martin F-35
FAVORITE QUOTE
“…we have to surpass ourselves every day, make every day undying. Climb our own personal Everest and do it in such a way that every step is a little bit of eternity. That’s what the future is for: to build the present, with real plans, made by living people.”
– Muriel Barbery, The Elegance of the Hedgehog
FUN FACT
I hope to someday hike the Pacific Crest Trail that runs from Mexico to Canada.
Keanne Vallejo-Huertas
CURRENT POSITION
Air Traffic Control Specialist and Policy Analyst
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Antonov
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Set goals. Stay quiet about them. Smash The ^%$* out of them. Clap for your &^%$ self. Repeat.” –Pilot Wings Mason
FUN FACT
My twin and I both work in the aviation industry.
Eliana Rothwell
CURRENT TITLE
Aviation Student at Delaware State University
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Beechcraft 18 – my first flight and first cockpit I ever got to sit in and fly in!
FAVORITE QUOTE
“If you never try, you’ll never know.” –Germany Kent
FUN FACT
I hated Indian food until I graduated from high school, bought a one-way ticket to India and backpacked there six months! Now, I love Indian cuisine!
Raquel Villagomez
CURRENT POSITION
Diversity and inclusion project coordinator
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
A380 and Airbus BelugaXL
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Stay the course.”
FUN FACT
I lived in Cochabamba, Bolivia, from 8-14 years old and didn’t know Spanish before moving there. I became fluent in Spanish by being put into an all-Spanish-speaking school called “Colegio Tiquipaya.”
Lucia Mencia, AIA, PMP
CURRENT POSITION
Aviation Architect
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
My own little Cessna 172
FAVORITE QUOTE
“There’s more to life than being a passenger.” -Amelia Earhart
FUN FACT
I told my CFI that the “wind gods” commanded that I solo on April Fool’s Day and did so with a fourth, power off, glide landing!
Norma-Bat Sheva Orona-Samms
CURRENT POSITION
Static and Dynamic Structural Analyst at Boeing
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.”
–Jennifer Lee
FUN FACT
I powerlift. To date, I have deadlifted 225 pounds while weighing 102 pounds.
Melissa Torres
CURRENT POSITION
Contract Jet Pilot, Designated Pilot Examiner, CEO of Advanced Aviation Group
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Super Decathalon
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Don’t dwell on your mistakes—learn from them and move on.”
FUN FACT
I earned my scuba diving license with my eldest son and then got to dive in and clean the Baltimore Aquarium.
Elizabeth Garcia Corvington
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
C-150
FAVORITE QUOTE
“You can often change your circumstances by changing your attitude.” —Eleanor Roosevelt
FUN FACT
I have a soft spot for dogs, especially senior pups.
Karen Perez
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
SpaceX Falcon Heavy Launch Vehicle (A rocket, of course)
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.”
— Zig Ziglar
FUN FACT
I went plant-based during the pandemic and I love it!
Brenda Garcia
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Icon A5
FAVORITE QUOTE
“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”
—Chinese Proverb
FUN FACT
I have seen Walt Disney World’s fireworks show from the sky in an airplane!
Luz Beattie
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
Grumman HU16 Albatross
FAVORITE QUOTE
You can’t teach anyone who knows it all.
FUN FACT
Coincidentally, I share a birthday with Amelia Earhart.
Louisa Ocasio
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT
The ones that land safely.
FAVORITE QUOTE
¡Yo Soy Boricua pa’ que tú lo sepas!
FUN FACT
There is a town in Virginia named Louisa.
About Fig Factor Media
Fig Factor Media will ignite your career as an author and offer proven methods to transform your mission into a movement. We help you define your passion to serve others and elevate the community, as well as impact the next generation with your story. We believe writing is an extension of your soul. Contact Fig Factor Media today and start making your dream of authorship come true!