ISABEL MARTIN,
PRESIDENT OF FLIGHT LIGHT, INC.

In recognition of International Women’s Month, the Sacramento Valley Manufacturing Alliance (SVMA), would like to recognize some of the Women in Manufacturing in the Sacramento Region and share their stories with the region’s manufacturers.  If you know of a woman in manufacturing, or a woman contemplating her future in manufacturing, please share these stories, and inspire the next the generation of manufacturing excellence.

Our first profile is of Ms. Isabel Martin, the president of Flight Light, Inc.  Flight Light is a Sacramento manufacturer of lighting systems for airports and heliports globally, serving major international airports as well as U.S. Department of Defense bases.

Isabel has been with Flight Light for 22 years.  She has progressed through the organization  as a sales person, sales manager, vice-president of sales, general manager, and now as president.  Isabel cites her mentor as Kyle Owens, the owner of Flight Light, who recognized her leadership talent.  Kyle’s words of advice to Isabel – “Follow your gut instincts.”

Isabel said that her favorite part of the job is the unpredictable nature of the business – every day is different.  She is motivated knowing that every day is a new challenge, requiring her to use all of her talents to support her team and the company.

As almost every manufacturer will tell you, including Isabel, the two biggest challenges she finds is sourcing product in an era of disrupted supply chains and recruiting new talent.  With that said, Isabel recently hired two, motivated, young women, Ms. Arelly Benavidez and Ms. Mizan Johnson.  Neither had prior manufacturing experience, but a desire to learn and contribute to their families.  Both young ladies expressed profound admiration for Isabel and her concern for the Flight Light team.

As we all know, manufacturing has always been a male-dominated work environment.  Current statistics nationwide and in the Sacramento Region show that 70 percent of the workforce is still male, although this population will be retiring over the next 20 years.  Labor statistics state that 45% of the workforce will be retiring over the next 20 years.   Isabel stated that workplace attitudes and perspectives have changed dramatically as more women join the workplace.

Isabel’s advice to attract more women in to manufacturing: “Don’t be afraid!”  She shared with me that a major source of pride is knowing that every time she sees a picture of a hospital helipad, she know that Flight Light built the light system that will help helicopters land and bring patients to the hospital safely.

Isabel’s personal goals are to be healthy, happy and to retire in Spain, her home country.

Kevin McGrew Quote:

Our first profile is of Ms. Isabel Martin, the president of Flight Light, Inc.  Flight Light is a Sacramento manufacturer of lighting systems for airports and heliports globally, serving major international airports as well as U.S. Department of Defense bases.

Isabel has been with Flight Light for 22 years.  She has progressed through the organization  as a sales person, sales manager, vice-president of sales, general manager, and now as president.  Isabel cites her mentor as Kyle Owens, the owner of Flight Light, who recognized her leadership talent.  Kyle’s words of advice to Isabel – “Follow your gut instincts.”

Isabel said that her favorite part of the job is the unpredictable nature of the business – every day is different.  She is motivated knowing that every day is a new challenge, requiring her to use all of her talents to support her team and the company.

As almost every manufacturer will tell you, including Isabel, the two biggest challenges she finds is sourcing product in an era of disrupted supply chains and recruiting new talent.  With that said, Isabel recently hired two, motivated, young women, Ms. Arelly Benavidez and Ms. Mizan Johnson.  Neither had prior manufacturing experience, but a desire to learn and contribute to their families.  Both young ladies expressed profound admiration for Isabel and her concern for the Flight Light team.

As we all know, manufacturing has always been a male-dominated work environment.  Current statistics nationwide and in the Sacramento Region show that 70 percent of the workforce is still male, although this population will be retiring over the next 20 years.  Labor statistics state that 45% of the workforce will be retiring over the next 20 years.   Isabel stated that workplace attitudes and perspectives have changed dramatically as more women join the workplace.

Isabel’s advice to attract more women in to manufacturing: “Don’t be afraid!”  She shared with me that a major source of pride is knowing that every time she sees a picture of a hospital helipad, she know that Flight Light built the light system that will help helicopters land and bring patients to the hospital safely.

Isabel’s personal goals are to be healthy, happy and to retire in Spain, her home country.

Kevin McGrew Quote: