Sherrexcia "Rexy" Rolle runs a $90 million airline based in the Bahamas.

Western Air Bahamas was a dream come true for Rolle's parents. The thriving airline started in 2001 after years of planning and diligence. The 29-year-old's parents, Rex and Shandrice Rolle, dreamed of starting the company when they were teens. Rex was a pilot for a number of years and wanted an airline of his own.

In an interview with Bauce Magazine, Rexy said that the airline grew out of a gap in the market. The Rolles saw that jets were needed to access the many islands located in the Bahamas.

With nearly 700 islands in the region, people commonly used small ferries to get from one island to the next. The state ran airline did not reach certain islands and the Rolles family knew that there was an opportunity to address this issue.

"Once we recognized those gaps in the market," she said, "we were able to convince our investors why our airline is needed."

Rexy serves as vice president of operations and general counsel, overseeing the growth and expansion of the Caribbean-based airline. But she was not always in a position of power, she had to work her way up. When she was a young girl, Rexy worked as a baggage handler afterschool. She admits that the beginning of her parents' airline had its ups and downs. There were constant delays and management issues.

"We understand we have to work 10 times harder and we don’t shy away from the challenge," she explained. "As the vice president of operations and general counsel, the number one thing I stressed for our company is consistency."

Starting in 2015, Rexy began to make a major impact on the company by helping open a 28,000-square foot private passenger terminal and maintenance facility in Freeport that would be the first of its kind in the Bahamas.

Two years later, she spearheaded the acquisition of two additional Saab 340As and a multi-aircraft deal with Embraer for the acquisition of three ERJ 145 LR (50-seater Jets). This year will be big for her and the airline because there will be a push to add international routes.

In addition to winning an airline, Rexy has always had an interest in music and the law. She earned her Juris Doctorate from Thomas Jefferson School of Law while simultaneously reviewing contracts, purchasing, and development strategies for the airline. Remarkably, she will follow her father's footsteps and become a pilot as well.

With all of her success, Rexy advises women to "be confident in what you know."

"We as women were groomed from schooling and professionally to always second guess our decisions and feel as if we are 'under-qualified,'" she said. "I learned from experience to know your industry very well because the odds are immediately against you due to gender and race."

Sherrexcia Rexy Rolle

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