Businessman, Aviator, Entrepreneur Supports AAM And Collaboration With FAA

The National Business Aviation Association welcomed the confirmation of Jared Isaacman by the Senate to serve in the role of NASA Administrator.

Ed Bolen, President and CEO of NBAA issued a statement on Isaacman’s Senate approval:

“We congratulate Jared on his approval by the Senate as NASA administrator. Jared will be an excellent leader of NASA, given his experience not only as a skilled aviator and civilian astronaut who led two space missions, but also as an entrepreneur with proven leadership skills.”

Isaacman is a successful  businessman, entrepreneur, aviator, and philanthropist, but is perhaps best known as the commander of two private spaceflights on the Inspiration4 and Polaris Dawn.

Inspiration4 was the world’s first all-civilian mission to orbit Earth in 2021 that raised more than $250 million for St. Jude Children’s Hospital, and last year’s Polaris Dawn mission featured the first commercial spacewalk.

Isaacman was the founder of online payment solutions provider Shift4, and subsequently founded Draken International, a defense company the serves the U.S. military. He is an accomplished pilot and led the civilian Black Diamond Jet Team from 2011-2014. He also leads the Polaris Program “Ghost Squadron” aerial demo team which also provides training opportunities for civilian astronauts.

In his Senate testimony, Isaacman expressed strong support for increasing commercial partnerships in emerging tech such as Advanced Air Mobility. He is expected to further the collaboration between NASA and the FAA and other agencies in matters related to aviation safety, sustainability, and technology.

The NBAA presented its Meritorious Service to Aviation Award to Isaacman in 2023 for his landmark contributions to aviation and aerospace as well as his work raising hundreds of millions in contributions to charitable organizations and a round-the-world flight in 2009 that raised funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

FMI:  nbaa.org/