The South Texas Business Aviation Association (STXBAA)’s inaugural Aviation Safety Seminar brings together an impressive lineup of speakers from across aviation, aerospace and emerging technology for an afternoon focused on safety, leadership and innovation.
WHEN: Friday, August 21, 2026
Seminar: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Network Mixer: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Galaxy FBO at the Conroe North Houston Regional Airport (CXO)
TO REGISTER: Please visit stxbaa.wildapricot.org
FEATURED SPEAKERS
- Mario Jimenez, WYVERN — “Briefing and Debriefing Tools – A New and Effective Approach”
Mario is a respected aviation safety professional and Flight Leader Coach with WYVERN, bringing extensive experience in operational safety, risk management, and the human factors that influence flight operations. His work focuses on helping aviation organizations develop practical tools and stronger safety cultures that extend beyond regulatory compliance. Mario has contributed to WYVERN safety guidance on topics including circling approaches and stabilized approaches, providing operators with practical resources for identifying, managing, and mitigating operational risk. - Kevin “K2” LaRosa — “Soaring to Success: Building Trust, Safety, and Collaboration in High-Stakes Filmmaking”
Kevin “K2” LaRosa is an acclaimed motion picture aerial coordinator, stunt pilot, and aerial cinematography specialist whose work has helped create some of Hollywood’s most memorable aviation sequences. A second-generation film and television pilot, K2 has worked on productions including Top Gun: Maverick, Devotion, Iron Man, The Avengers, and Transformers. For Top Gun: Maverick, he played a major role in coordinating complex aerial operations and helped develop the specialized L-39 CineJet used to capture high-speed aerial footage. An accomplished fixed-wing and helicopter pilot, K2’s career requires balancing creativity and precision with meticulous planning, teamwork, risk management, and safety. - Wesley Bonura, NASA — “Inside NASA: Conducting Safe Human Vacuum Tests Where Failure Isn’t an Option”
Wesley Bonura graduated from Texas A&M in 2022 with a bachelors in Aerospace Engineering. He has worked at NASA for the last four years in the Crew and Thermal Systems Division, first as a Test Director and then as Lead Test Director. Within their group they operate 5 thermal vacuum chambers, three thermal only chambers, and four human-rated vacuum chambers. They frequently run hazardous human-in-the-loop tests for both astronaut training and human research, so safety is at the forefront of everything they do. - Carmen Simboli, Prime Air — “Prime Air’s Drone Ecosystem: Airspace Analysis, Cutting-Edge Technology, and a Vision for What’s Next”
Carmen serves as an Airspace Integration Specialist at Amazon Prime Air, where he oversees airspace integration and UAS Traffic Management (UTM) strategy. In this role, he leads efforts to ensure Prime Air can safely operate and integrate into the National Airspace System (NAS) through a holistic approach to safety. Carmen brings over 15 years of broad aviation experience, including a decade in the United States Air Force, complemented by additional years as a federal civilian employee with the Department of Defense and the Federal Aviation Administration. His career spans roles as an air traffic controller, combat airspace manager, and flight procedure specialist. Experience that provides him with deep expertise in airspace operations, safety standards, and regulatory frameworks.
From proven business aviation safety practices to lessons learned in some of the world’s most demanding aerospace environments, the STXBAA Safety Seminar offers attendees an opportunity to hear directly from professionals working at the forefront of their fields.
After-Event Mixer & Networking
Following the seminar, Galaxy FBO is also sponsoring an STXBAA After-Event Mixer from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Black Walnut Kitchen & Bar, located on the third floor of the Galaxy FBO at CXO airport.. Attendees are invited to stay for drinks, appetizers and an opportunity to connect with fellow members of the South Texas business aviation community. Thanks to the generous support of our event sponsors, After-Event Mixer are complimentary to attend and all remaining donations and proceeds are directed to the STXBAA Scholarship Fund, helping support the next generation of aviation professionals.
Galaxy FBO is proud to support STXBAA alongside:
Space is limited!
Please visit stxbaa.wildapricot.org to register today!
