Name: Deanna White
Title: President
Company, city: Flexjet; Richardson, Texas
Number of employees: 700-plus
Recent project: Position Flexjet as an exceptional private travel experience provider and become a top 100 employer by building an engaged, empowered workforce
First job: I was a waitress at Steak ’n Shake.
Little-known fact about you: I have a piece of the Berlin Wall.
Deanna White’s Business
Essential business philosophy: My guiding principle is that people should agree to disagree, then align around shared goals to move forward together.
Best way to keep a competitive edge: Stay close to customers: listen to what they want, anticipate what they’ll need next, and then deliver consistently.
Yardstick of success: I measure success by how well I engage and empower employees. Preparing and cultivating a successor is also a critical indicator of sustainable success.
Deanna White as a Traveler
What is the most important item you take when traveling? My iPad.
How do you spend your time on board? I typically spend my time on the iPad or reading a good book.
What is your favorite restaurant in the world? Angelo’s in New York City’s Little Italy.
What is your favorite destination in the world? Rome.
About Flexjet
What makes Flexjet unique? Flexjet delivers exceptional private travel experiences through a tailored portfolio of solutions. We customize programs and services to meet the needs of each owner, treating every client with the focused attention of being the only owner.
What can travelers expect from Flexjet? Travelers can expect a distinct, personalized experience on every flight. As an owner-centric organization, we provide exclusive service delivered in our own thoughtful and consistent way.
What is the most challenging aspect of thriving in the North American market? The challenge is staying at the cutting edge of private aviation by offering access to the latest products, programs and aircraft. Recent years have seen strong growth in new business and the introduction of new offerings such as Coastal Connect and FlexShare. Looking ahead, Flexjet will add the all-new Learjet 85 to its fleet, while also marking milestones like Learjet’s 50th anniversary and the 10th anniversary of the Challenger aircraft.