Play Ball!

Growing up in the Bronx, Chris DeJesus discovered a passion for basketball, which he’s translated into a passion for life. Chris, a Houston-based customer service representative, began playing basketball when encouraged by a middle school gym teacher, and developed his skills during high school and college. After college, he joined Continental, working at New York’s LaGuardia Airport before eventually settling in Houston.

He joined the Continental intra-airline basketball team at Bush Intercontinental Airport — the IAH All-Stars — and eventually became head coach. The teams in Continental’s intra-airline league finish up their season each year with a Continental Basketball Hoop Shoot Final Four at New York’s Madison Square Garden, and Chris is currently organizing a Continental Hoop Shoot for the Houston area. He hopes to hold the event at the Toyota Center.

Outside of work, Chris is head coach for the co-ed basketball team of Lone Star College– Montgomery and also coaches a RYTES (Reaching Youth Through Education and Sports) team for 10- to 12-year-olds that competes in the Amateur Athletic Union.

Chris attributes his success in life to his commitment to basketball. “I learned that you may win some and you may lose some,” he says. “It’s how you rebound and recover that makes the difference. I tell my teams, ‘You may not make the NBA, or be the CEO, but it’s important to have a good time, get a good education, and play each game that comes your way.’”

A New Ambassador

Catherine Aboulhouda, the 2008 March of Dimes national ambassador, is shown here with Larry Kellner, CEO and chairman of Continental Airlines. Aboulhouda, who was born 16 weeks premature, will travel the country to raise awareness of premature birth.

40 Years of Service

Continental Micronesia had its beginnings in 1968. Air Micronesia, or “Air Mike” as it is still called today, was a partnership between Continental Airlines, Aloha Airlines, and UMDA (United Micronesia Development Association).

On May 16, 1968, Air Mike launched its inaugural flight on a 727 Golden Fan jet known as Ju Ju. This began a series of firsts for Air Micronesia, including becoming the first U.S. flag carrier to fly between Saipan and Taiwan, in 1976.

At Continental Micronesia’s 25th anniversary celebration in 1993, the former president of the airline said the company’s dual mission was promoting and supporting tourism to the Micronesian islands, and providing essential air service to the remote communities that would otherwise be cut off from the outside world.

Fifteen years later, Continental Micronesia maintains the vision of its founders. Mark Erwin, president of Continental Micronesia, credits the choice of Guam as a hub for the carrier as a main reason for its success. “We have the ability to serve the Asia-Pacific region and beyond,” he says. “Our hub easily flies customers to the islands of Micronesia.”

Continental Micronesia serves 22 cities throughout the Pacific Rim, the Micronesian islands, and Hawaii.