Contact: Dan Hubbard, 202-431-5970, dhubbard@nbaa.org
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is excited to announce renowned NASA Administrator, civilian astronaut and philanthropist Jared Isaacman will participate in a fireside chat with NBAA Board Member and former Space Shuttle Commander Charlier Precourt at the Newsmakers Luncheon at noon on Monday, Oct. 19.
The invite-only event takes place prior to the start of the 2026 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), which runs from Oct. 20-22 in Las Vegas.
“We are honored to welcome Jared Isaacman and Charlie Precourt to NBAA-BACE and look forward to their insights on the future of aviation and aerospace,” said Interim COO Dan Hubbard. “Their unique perspectives offer attendees a compelling look at where the industry is headed and how business aviation fits into that future.”
Jared Isaacman
Isaacman was nominated to be NASA administrator in November 2025 and confirmed by the Senate in December 2025. A previous recipient of NBAA’s highest honor – the Meritorious Service to Aviation Award – the association strongly supported Isaacman’s nomination to his current post.
Isaacman, a skilled pilot with over 8,000 flight hours who is flight-qualified in multiple military jets, has flown in over 100 airshows. He is an honorary fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and set numerous world speed records in 2009 while raising funds for the Make-A-Wish.
In 2021, Isaacman commanded Inspiration4, the first all-civilian orbital spaceflight aboard the Dragon spacecraft. The three-day flight orbited Earth, raising over $250 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Three years later, he led another human spaceflight mission, Polaris Dawn. Reaching an altitude of almost 900 miles, this was the farthest humans have traveled from Earth since Apollo 17.
Isaacman performed the first commercial spacewalk, and both missions incorporated dozens of science experiments and achieved milestones that advanced the cause of crewed spaceflight.
Charlie Precourt
Precourt, a member of NBAA’s Board of Directors since 2019, also serves as a board member for the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), as well as chair of the Safety Committee for the Citation Jet Pilots Association.
A four-time space shuttle astronaut, retired U.S. Air Force test pilot and steadfast industry safety champion, Precourt was an F-15 pilot, instructor and flight commander, and a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School. He has over 11,000 hours in over 90 different types of aircraft, and is type rated in several Citation aircraft models and exhibition warbird jet aircraft.
A member of the Astronaut Hall of Fame, Precourt held several management positions within NASA, including deputy program manager for the International Space Station, chief of the Astronaut Corps and director of operations for NASA at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia.
Precourt previously served as vice president and general manager of the propulsion systems business at Northrop Grumman.
Taking place Oct. 20-22, NBAA-BACE is the world’s most powerful business aviation event of the year, showcasing the industry’s latest innovations and services, and hosting the leaders who are shaping its future.