LOCAL WOMAN ON THE RISE

LOCAL WO M A N

ON THE RISE

In 2020, Evelyn Barrientos Sanchéz was on vacation in Miami when she received a phone call from a homeowner in Sea Horse Ranch, here in Cabarete. He said he had a job for her managing a new villa. She had been managing villas here for 25 years and was a bit perplexed, so she didn’t think much of it.

The following day, she received another phone call from a different homeowner, Rita Abinader, asking her “What? You don’t accept phone calls from the president of the Dominican Republic?”

The homeowner trying to recruit her for the position was newly elected president Luis Abinader and that villa he was referring to was Gregorio Luperón International Airport in Puerto Plata.

Evelyn is the first female head of customs operations at an international airport in the Dominican Republic. She is also the friendly face welcoming visitors upon their arrival. A confident, hardworking and dedicated businesswoman, Evelyn is the powerhouse ensuring that one of the country’s busiest airports runs safely and efficiently.

Evelyn is Dominican, born and raised in New York, and arrived in the country in 1990 to manage her father’s water sports business. At the time, the industry was rapidly growing on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic and she was the first woman to have jet ski rentals on Sosua Beach.

Five years later, she got into the real estate and property management business with John Bommarito and Bill Kirkman at Sea Horse Ranch. She attributes much of her success to their mentorship.

Working alongside the Kirkman family in real estate management, she learned everything about interacting with foreign investors in the Dominican Republic. Her unique combination of talents and earnest personality made her the perfect candidate for managing the day to day challenges of the comings and goings of nearly 400,000 visitors per year.

As a businesswoman and mother of two, Evelyn’s philosophy is simple:

Did you know that there are 7 international airports in the Dominican Republic?

ILLUSTRATION GIULIA PINNA

Evelyn’s best advice for travelers entering the Dominican Republic:

• Yes, you have to fill out the online forms to enter and leave the country. Doing it before you arrive at the airport saves everyone a lot of time.

• Pay attention to the items and cash limits you’re allowed to bring into the country. Be honest about your customs declarations. Integrity is key.