At the center, Donna Cabrera and Jose Cruz with the Accounting team in Tinian.
AT Star Marianas Airlines, the dedicated employees are the backbone of the company’s success. Two standout team members are Donna Cabrera, Operations Manager, and Jose “Joe” Cruz, General Manager.
Donna Cabrera’s aviation career took flight at Taga Air, where she started as a reservations agent. When Star Marianas Inc. launched in 2008, Donna was one of the founding employees who helped get the new airline off the ground. Over her 15+ year tenure, she has been cross-trained in nearly every department, giving her a comprehensive understanding of airline operations.
Donna Cabrera
Today, as Operations Manager, Donna oversees the reservations teams across all the islands served by Star Marianas. Her favorite aspect of the job is the people – both her coworkers and the chance to get hands-on at the ramp. “I like to be hands on with my duties,” Donna shares. Her path nearly went in a different direction, as she previously considered applying for the military before finding her calling in commercial aviation.
Jose “Joe” Cruz
Donna Cabrera and Joe Cruz with SMA Tinian team
A native of Tinian, Jose “Joe” Cruz joined Star Marianas in 2017 after a diverse career spanning various government positions. He started at the airline’s safety department, ensuring the company’s safety management system ran smoothly. In 2021, he was promoted to Vice President of Operations and Safety, overseeing all operations across Star Marianas’ network.
Joe Cruz with the Saipan team
SMA Tinian team.
Joe is deeply dedicated to his role, monitoring operations even on his days off to ensure the highest standards of safety and service. “Aviation is my life’s work,” he says. “I’m passionate about creating a culture of safety and excellence at Star Marianas.”
With leaders like Donna and Joe, alongside the company’s talented workforce, Star Marianas Air will be in safe hands for another 15 years.