Couple Takes Their Embry-Riddle Journey Together

When you love what you’re doing -- and who you’re doing it with – life can be a treat.

That’s one lesson 28-year-old Linda Garcia has learned since she and her husband, Alexsander, started classes at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide two years ago, continuing a journey to help build the family business, an FAA repair station in North Carolina called Icon Aerospace.

Linda is working on her Master of Business Administration in Aviation and Alexsander is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Maintenance – something neither could have imagined just a few years ago.

“Worldwide classes have been great for both of us,” said Linda, who graduates in May. “It’s really the only way we could do this because of everything else we have going on.”

Linda is the Business Development Manager at Icon, while Alexsander is the Director of Operations. The online platform offered by Worldwide enables them to learn on their tight schedules.

“That’s what we do at the end of the day,” Linda said. “We get on the computer and start studying.”

The couple met in middle school in Miami and dated in high school. But Alexsander moved to North Carolina after graduating in 2009 to help start Icon Aerospace with his father, Agustin Garcia.

After graduating high school Linda attended Miami-Dade College where she earned top grades and received a scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). She planned on attending law school.

“But I took a few law classes, and I knew that wasn’t for me,” she said.

While at UNC, she reached out to her former boyfriend, now living just a few hours away. She hadn’t seen him in three years.

“He jumped in the car and came to see me,” Linda said. “We’ve been together since.”

After graduating from UNC, Linda went to work at Icon Aerospace in 2013, becoming the company’s seventh employee. She was just planning to stay for the summer to get some work experience.

“Needless to say, I fell in love with aviation and Icon’s role in the industry,” she said.

The relationship with Alexsander blossomed as well. The two were married in 2015.

As Icon Aerospace grew, the Garcia’s started hearing more and more about the reputation of Embry-Riddle throughout the aviation industry.

“We would go to aviation conferences and see ERAU everywhere,” Linda said. “We talked to alumni and students. I knew it was the place for us – they spoke our language.”

Today, Icon Aerospace is at 52 employees and growing. Linda and Alexsander have their own growth firmly in focus as well.

Linda is considering Embry-Riddle’s Ph.D. in Aviation, the only degree like it in the nation, while Alexsander has his eye on a master’s.

“We’ve already seen how these classes add to our own practical experience,” Linda said. “The professors are great and they pass along so much, especially the little things you didn’t know.”

Whatever path the Garcia’s choose at Embry-Riddle, they plan to take it together.