Sunway Charters has a reputation not just for great transportation services, but also for the culture they create within, and the caliber of the people they hire.

This issue, we highlight the indomitable team that is Sunway Charters – Jacksonville.

Heading up the Jacksonville terminal is Terminal Manager Erica Robinson. A native of the Jacksonville area, Erica attended Coastal Carolina Community College in Jacksonville in pursuit of a Criminal Justice degree. Getting her foot in the door of the transportation industry, Erica accepted a part-time position with Coach America in 2003, reviewing paper driver service logs, a job at which her detail-oriented mind excelled.

In 2006, Erica was promoted to a full-time administrative position with Coach America, where she happily settled for the next several years as the company changed hands several times over the next decade, helping to sustain the various changes to the company as they occurred.

At the inception of Sunway Charters’ 2015 acquisition of the company, owner Lee Helms saw something special in Erica and in 2016, offered her the opportunity to move into a management position within the company. While she had never really seen herself in this type of role, Erica feels that the experience and growth have been very beneficial to her on both personal and career levels. As she says, “Sometimes you just don’t know what you’re capable of until you’re pushed.  I have worked with some great mentors in this industry that have helped me get where I am today.”

Erica summarizes, “I love the business, I love Sunway. Lee Helms has been so good to us, and I love every team member we have here at Sunway. I couldn’t do what I do, and Sunway couldn’t do what it does if it wasn’t for each individual employee and the role they play here in the company. They are all important. I have wonderful customers that I get to deal with and build relationships with. It’s just amazing to hear the wonderful stories of their trips, their “Sunway” experience.”

We sure are glad she didn’t pursue that career in Criminal Justice!

While not managing the Jacksonville Sunway terminal, Erica loves to spend time curled up with a good book, attend her church, spend time with her best friend and husband, Thomas, and their four kids and grandchild, and most especially travel extensively with Thomas.

Another crucial member at the Sunway Charters’ Jacksonville terminal is Maintenance Manager and 22-year Marine Corps veteran, Dennis Beach.

Dennis began his career with the Marine Corps in 1982, where he began basic training in San Diego. During his time with the Marines, he trained as a Heavy Equipment Operator where he often was charged with having to fix his own equipment. He saw active duty in Operation Desert Shield / Storm, was deployed to numerous operations during his enlistment, including Fort Lejeune, NC, and finalized his military career at Marine Corps Engineer School in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri in 2004 at the rank of Gunnery Sergeant.

After leaving the military in 2004, Dennis returned to North Carolina where he soon found a position with Coach America as a wash rack supervisor. He was quickly promoted to Preventative Maintenance Mechanic. Over the years, he held positions within the changing companies as lot foreman, strom water supervisor, and underground storage tank supervisor as he continued to climb the ranks within the company until in 2018 when he was offered the position of Sunway Charters’ Jacksonville terminal maintenance manager.

In his spare time, Dennis enjoys spending time with his adult daughter, bicycling, reading a good science fiction or historical book, and getting engrossed in a great movie.

As Jacksonville is home to Marine Corps Camp Lejeune, Camp Geiger, and New River Air Station, Sunway Charters proudly transports our military service members on a weekly basis.

Sunway also holds a contract with Amtrak through its Jacksonville terminal to service two routes, 365 days a year.

Once buses arrive at the Amtrak station in Wilson, Sunway waits for the afternoon train and drops passengers off in the reverse of the routes above.

During the recent business shutdowns during 2020-2021, at a time when there was very little travel, Sunway’s maintenance department began offering its maintenance services to local companies. They now specialize in providing maintenance services to several local bus fleets, including Camp Lejeune school buses.

For more information on how we can assist you with your transportation or fleet maintenance needs, please contact Erica at erica@sunwaycharters.com or 910-577-4422.