A Nod to New Orleans with Lone Star Flight Museum Honorees
Q&A with Lisa and Jerry Simon
Lone Star Flight Museum Lifetime Achievement Award
Lone Star Flight Museum will honor museum friends Lisa and Jerry Simon for their transformational impact on the museum and the Greater Houston community on Saturday, November 14, at the 2026 Jet Setters Ball: Destination New Orleans. Gala chairs Donna and Matthew Noll and honorary chairs Cheryl Boblitt King and Bill King invite supporters to join the celebration for a jubilant evening of music and revelry.
“Lisa and Jerry Simon are trailblazers in this community, and we are honored to have their support,” said Anna Hawley, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Lone Star Flight Museum. “Their commitment to the museum as a dedicated board member and community advocate has been truly transformational. Jerry’s leadership and unwavering belief in our mission played a critical role in establishing the museum’s permanent home at Ellington Airport, while Lisa’s enthusiasm and advocacy have strengthened our connection to the community. Together, they have championed our vision of preserving aviation history and inspiring future generations through STEM education. We are deeply grateful for their generosity, leadership and longstanding commitment, and are honored to recognize them at the 2026 Jet Setters Ball.”
Lisa, this year’s gala destination is New Orleans, chosen by you and Jerry. What is your connection to the city?
Our daughter moved there eight years ago because she fell in love with the city’s culture, sense of community, Mardi Gras traditions and joyful way of celebrating life. She now runs a school for children from her home, and I love seeing the community she has built with families in the Bywater area.
What stands out most is the creativity and connection among the families there. They celebrate Mardi Gras with themed parades and homemade costumes, support one another by sharing babysitting, clothes, parenting ideas and truly embrace life together. The food, music, culture and spirit of New Orleans are colorful, upbeat and full of energy, which makes it a wonderful inspiration for this year’s Jetsetters Ball.
Jerry, when did you become involved with the Lone Star Flight Museum and what’s kept you connected?
Aviation has been one of the greatest passions of my life, as a veteran, pilot and volunteer humanitarian pilot. My introduction to the Lone Star Flight Museum came through that shared passion, but my commitment deepened after Hurricane Ike devastated the museum’s original Galveston facility in 2008.
I had the privilege of serving on the board as we helped envision, fund and build the museum’s new $38 million home at Houston’s Ellington Airport. We believed that if we built a world-class museum centered on aviation history and STEM education, families, students and visitors would come. During construction, the project required a bank loan, and many of our directors, myself included, participated in the capital campaign and personally guaranteed the loan because we believed in the museum’s future.
Jerry, as an LSFM Board Member, what has been one of the proudest moments you have had with the organization?
Without question, my proudest moment as an LSFM Board Member has been opening our “new museum” to the public on September 16, 2017. Standing there on opening day and seeing our new facility and priceless aircraft collection completely unharmed was incredibly emotional. We had fulfilled our commitment to build a permanent home where these historic aircraft, and the stories they tell, would be preserved for generations to come. What makes me just as proud today is the number of families and children who come through our doors every day. It’s especially rewarding to see the vision we had years ago continue to grow and flourish.
Jerry, what has kept you committed to the museum’s mission over the years?
The museum’s mission aligns closely with what aviation has meant to me throughout my life. Flying has taught me discipline, humility, preparation and respect. Flying hundreds of volunteer missions with Angel Flight South Central and Veterans Airlift Command, I’ve experienced aviation’s remarkable ability to serve others during some of life’s most challenging moments.
Jerry, do you have a favorite aircraft or era of aviation history?
I’ve always admired the World War II era and the extraordinary generation of pilots who changed the course of history through their courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment to freedom. Among more modern aircraft, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird has always fascinated me.
Lisa, what are you most excited about in terms of what is to come at the Lone Star Flight Museum?
I am most excited to see the museum continue to grow its reach, especially among school-age children. Through its STEM programs, the Lone Star Flight Museum sparks curiosity, encourages hands-on learning, and helps students imagine new possibilities for their own futures. When young visitors connect aviation history with science, technology, engineering, and math, they begin to see how learning today can shape the paths they may pursue tomorrow.
Lisa, what advice would you give someone who wants to make a difference through nonprofit or cultural leadership?
Start by finding organizations that reflect your own values and support causes that are personally meaningful. Sometimes that means choosing a mission you already care deeply about; other times, it may mean getting involved with an organization that helps you learn more about a particular field, community or need.
My father always said, “Yesterday is gone—what are you going to accomplish today?” That spirit has stayed with me and continues to motivate me to keep learning, growing and helping others.
I made a commitment to my parents to help carry forward their legacy of nonprofit involvement and I intend to honor that commitment until the Lord tells me it is time to hand it over.
To learn more about how you can support the 2026 Jet Setter’s Ball, please visit 2026 Jet Setters Ball or contact Sam Waters at sam.waters@lonestarflight.org or (346) 352-7678.
