The Heart of LIFT Academy
The beating heart of LIFT Academy might not always be seen, but it can certainly be heard. For many, that heartbeat is Felicia Allen, LIFT Crew Scheduling Coordinator. While some may never cross paths with her face-to-face, they will always feel her impact.
Felicia comes from the city that never sleeps—New York. Born and raised in East Harlem, she grew up surrounded by culture, movement and energy. That constant momentum is part of who she is, and it’s why working in the Systems Operations Control Center (SOC) feels like home for her.
Growing up in such a vibrant environment, Felicia developed a love for performing arts, which led her to explore hospitality and tourism. After moving from New York City to Indianapolis, she eventually found her way to Republic Airways as a crew scheduler in the SOC. The SOC continually monitors aircraft locations and progress, weather patterns, and mechanical or operational issues. At the same time, the team supports aircraft dispatch, assigns Pilots and Flight Attendants, and ensures all operations remain compliant with the FAA—keeping everything running safely and efficiently behind the scenes. It was there that her love for aviation truly deepened. As she gained experience, she began looking for opportunities to grow. Around that same time, Republic started developing a separate SOC dedicated to LIFT. Felicia—eager for a new challenge—jumped in and helped design the new SOC from the ground up.
Three years later, Felicia now helps run the very operation she helped create—serving as a crew scheduling coordinator. While Felicia is based out of Indianapolis, she supports all 6 LIFT Locations—Indianapolis, IN, Columbus, IN, Columbia, SC, Myrtle Beach, SC, Tuskegee, AL and Galveston, TX.
Felicia’s role in the SOC is far from one‐dimensional. She supports countless moving parts across LIFT, making her an essential part of daily operations. Her naturally comforting presence has also made her a beacon of support for both students and fellow Associates. People rely on her—not just for professional guidance but often for personal encouragement as well.
One of her favorite memories is a conversation with a LIFT student before their check ride. The student was nervous, worried they weren’t ready. Felicia sat with them and reminded them of the hard work they had put in—and that they had no reason to doubt themselves. The student left the conversation confident and went on to pass their check ride.
“Even though the SOC is not always student-facing, it is the responsibility of all LIFT associates to support students through their journey,” Felicia says. She holds an open‐door policy to ensure her team communicates openly, trusts one another, and supports both associates and students. Her openness helps create a strong foundation for everyone who passes through LIFT.
Working for LIFT has been one of the best experiences of Felicia’s career. A family-oriented person, she feels she gets to leave one home and walk into another each day. Whether it’s hosting baby showers for associates or celebrating student milestones, Felicia loves being part of the LIFT family.
When new faces join LIFT, she is always one of the first to welcome and support them. Her advice to students is simple: take it one day at a time and use every resource available to you. “Everyone at Republic wants you to succeed,” she shares. “We’re all here for each other—like a family.”
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