Victor Navarrete

Team captain

Horizon Air

Chief mass communication specialist and command readiness officer

U.S. Navy Reserve

Age: 38

Current city of residence: Kennewick

Briefly describe your company:

Horizon Air is a regional airline within Alaska Air Group that provides passenger service throughout the Pacific Northwest, connecting smaller communities to major hubs.

In addition to my civilian role, I also serve in the U.S. Navy Reserve. The Reserves allows service members to continue serving their country while also maintaining civilian careers. It provides the flexibility to build a life and career outside the military, while still training regularly and staying ready to support missions when called upon.

How long have you worked there?

1 year at Horizon. 18 years in the Navy Reserve.

Briefly describe your job and what you do. Tell us how you got into it.

I currently serve in two leadership roles, one in aviation and one in the military, both centered around taking care of people and ensuring mission success. As a team captain at Horizon Air, I help lead day-to-day operations in a fast-paced, safety-critical environment, supporting my team, making real-time decisions, and ensuring we deliver for both the operation and our customers.

In the U.S. Navy Reserve, I serve as a chief mass communication specialist assigned to the 7th Fleet PAO team as the readiness officer. My focus is ensuring our personnel are prepared to deploy and execute when called upon. As a chief, I also prioritize mentorship and deckplate leadership, developing junior sailors, setting the standard and leading from the front.

Tell us about your work history.

My work history has taken me through a few different fields, but the common thread has always been working with people and stepping into roles where I can contribute and take on more responsibility. I started in sales and marketing, then moved into nonprofit and higher education development roles.

I left South Texas when I was asked to support Navy recruiting, where being a Spanish speaker allowed me to connect directly with the Hispanic community here in the Tri-Cities. After completing that assignment, I chose to stay in the area and raise my family here. From there, I stepped into a new field and moved into the insurance industry, working auto damage and fraud investigations.

In the Navy Reserve, I started as a master-at-arms (military police) working in law enforcement and security before transitioning into public affairs as a mass communication specialist. That shift led to recruiting, then into roles supporting operational Navy units, and now I serve with the 7th Fleet PAO team, an opportunity I take a lot of pride in.

After working civilian public affairs roles, I made the decision to step into a new field and challenge myself in a different environment, which led me into airport operations with Horizon Air.

Tell us about your first job.

My first job was at a small Sicilian restaurant called Antipasto’s that I grew up next to in Neptune City, New Jersey. I was there all the time as a kid watching TV, grabbing a cheap slice of pizza and just hanging around.

On my 13th birthday, the owner asked if I wanted to start working for him. Being able to speak Spanish helped me communicate with the kitchen staff, which gave him some much needed flexibility and time off.

It’s where I learned how to work hard, take care of people and even how to cook Italian food, which is probably why I’m still a bit of a pasta snob to this day.

What advice would you give to your younger self about achieving success?

Success doesn’t always mean how much money is in the bank, what kind of car you drive or how expensive your suit is. Real success is about the impact you have on those around you. It’s being able to pour into your family, support your friends, invest in your community and make a difference that actually matters. Success is also being able to be who you needed growing up and being that safe space you didn’t have.

What was your dream job as a child?

I wanted to be a Naval aviator and Blue Angel.

Who are your role models – and why? Tell us what you learned from them. What do you consider your leadership style to be?

I grew up as an only child raised by a single mom who worked multiple jobs, so I spent a lot of time on my own. A lot of the lessons I picked up early on came from characters I watched growing up, mentors who each shaped how I think about leadership today.

Master Splinter (“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”) taught discipline, patience and leading by example. He didn’t just give direction, he lived it, which is something I try to carry into how I lead others.

Uncle Iroh (“Avatar: The Last Airbender”) showed me the importance of empathy and understanding. He leads with wisdom and compassion, reminding me that taking care of people is just as important as accomplishing the mission.

Professor X (“X-Men”) represents trust and empowerment. He builds strong teams by believing in people and helping them reach their potential, which is something I focus on through mentorship.

Master Roshi (“Dragon Ball”) taught that growth comes from pushing limits and staying resilient. Leadership isn’t always polished, it’s about being willing to learn and improve.

Zordon (“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers”) showed what it means to guide from a higher level, providing vision, clarity and purpose while trusting others to execute.

At the end of the day, I try to be the kind of leader I needed growing up – someone who sets the standard, supports their people and helps them become better than they were yesterday.

Tell us about your community involvement/community service:

I currently serve as the parent teacher organization president at my daughter’s elementary school.

I’m also a founding member of Troop 219, the first all-girls Scouts BSA troop in the area and continue to stay involved in scouting with my family, including my daughter who is currently a Cub Scout.

Supporting the veteran community is also a big part of my life. I’m an active member of the Columbia Basin Veterans Center and serve as a mentor with the Benton County Veterans Therapeutic Court, where I work directly with veterans who are navigating challenges and rebuilding their lives.

Do you have family? Pets? Tell us about them.

Together with my wife, Cheyenne, my Navy boo, we have a big, blended family with seven kids ranging from 19 to 4, and we’re currently working through the process of adopting my son’s half-sister.

We also have a full house when it comes to animals: three dogs, six cats and 12 chickens, so there’s never a dull moment.

How long have you lived in the Tri-Cities? If you didn’t grow up here, what brought you here?

I’ve lived in the Tri-Cities since February 2017, when I received orders from the Navy to recruit here. I was originally supposed to go to Seattle but once they found out I spoke Spanish, I was reassigned to better support the local community.

It ended up being the perfect fit, both professionally and personally. Cheyenne and I had already been doing the whole long distance dating thing, and we even had a running bet tied to it. She’s a die-hard Seahawks fan and I’m a Patriots fan, so during the 2016 season we agreed that whoever’s team lost would move.

Well, here I am in Washington.

What’s your dream vacation?

I’d love to explore India with my wife. We both enjoy the food, the people and the culture, and it’s one of those places that feels completely different from anything we’re used to. It would be more about the experience than just the destination.

Planner or procrastinator?

Planner! Navy chiefs don’t procrastinate because proper prior planning prevents poor performance!

First car?

2002 Acura RSX purchased on Presidents Day 2006 with money I saved up myself!

Introvert or extrovert? 

100% extrovert

Favorite thing to do in Tri-Cities?

Be outside! Duck pond with the littles and Pokémon go with the big kids!

Favorite Tri-City restaurant?

Masala Indian Cuisine. It’s a family favorite and always gets me out of the doghouse with Cheyenne!

Favorite day of the week?

Whatever day the sales from Costco start on.

Text, email, phone call?

1. Text

2. Email…

99. Smoke signals

100. Phone call.

Would you rather travel back in time or to the future?

Definitely back in time. Pokémon cards were so cheap at Toys R Us back in the day, plus the OG McDonald’s dollar menu.