The 2026 Aerospace Legacy Award honors Dan Gonzales for his transformative leadership and lifelong impact on San Antonio’s aerospace industry. A San Antonio native, Gonzales has dedicated his career to advancing the region’s aviation and aerospace ecosystem, and at Kelly AFB, helping shape its evolution from a military depot to a global center for innovation.

Holding a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s in Management of Technology from The University of Texas at San Antonio, Gonzales began his career at Kelly Air Force Base, where he rose from a GS-5 engineer to GS-14 Branch Chief. He played a key role during one of the most pivotal periods in the city’s aerospace history, helping transition critical operations that would ultimately anchor future growth in the region. As Vice President at StandardAero and the longest-tenured leader in the company’s San Antonio operations, he has helped sustain and expand mission-critical propulsion programs supporting the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and allied partners. His leadership has also contributed to the attraction and retention of major aerospace workloads in San Antonio, reinforcing the region’s role as a cornerstone of national defense readiness.

Equally impactful is his commitment to workforce development. Through his involvement with Alamo Academies, UT – San Antonio, SAWORX, Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, and The Dee Howard Foundation, Gonzales has helped build accessible pathways into high-demand aerospace careers. His leadership has aligned education, workforce, and industry, strengthening San Antonio’s position as a premier aerospace hub while creating opportunity for future generations.

The 2026 Aerospace Industry Impact Award honors Mark Huffstutler for his entrepreneurial leadership and lasting contributions to aviation innovation in San Antonio and beyond. From earning his pilot’s license at age 16 to building a portfolio of globally recognized aerospace companies, Huffstutler’s career reflects a relentless commitment to excellence, innovation, and service.

Forgoing a traditional career path to pursue aviation full-time, Huffstutler built his first business, the Uvalde Flight Center, and steadily expanded through the acquisition and integration of multiple aviation enterprises. Through Sierra Industries, SkyWay Group, and FlighTime Business Jets, he has developed more than 300 proprietary aircraft modifications, advanced business aviation services, and helped establish critical infrastructure supporting general aviation growth in South Texas. With over 19,000 flight hours and certifications spanning pilot, instructor, mechanic, and engineer, he brings both technical mastery and entrepreneurial vision to the industry.

Huffstutler has played a key role in strengthening San Antonio’s aviation ecosystem, including expanding access to private aviation services and helping bring enhanced capabilities to San Antonio International Airport. Over more than four decades, he has built a reputation rooted in trust, service, and long-term relationships, while creating hands-on opportunities for aspiring pilots, engineers, and aviation professionals. His work reflects a deep commitment to making aviation more accessible, practical, and impactful for the community he serves.

The 2026 Aerospace Hope for the Future Award honors Joseph Hernandez-McCloskey for his outstanding contributions to aerospace innovation and his commitment to developing future talent. A San Antonio native, Hernandez-McCloskey is the founder of PhiNyx Technologies, Inc., a space technology company focused on making rocket and space hardware faster and more accessible to develop.

He is currently completing his PhD in Mechanical Engineering at UT – San Antonio, where he was selected as a NASA Space Technology Graduate Research Fellow. Prior to graduate school, he contributed to propulsion systems development at SpaceX and advanced rocket engine design at the Air Force Research Laboratory, building a strong foundation in both commercial and government aerospace environments.

At UT – San Antonio, Hernandez-McCloskey has distinguished himself as both a researcher and a mentor. He has led the design and development of multiple testing systems and tools now used within university labs and curriculum, while supporting students across the department in their academic and project work. His leadership has created lasting value for future cohorts of aerospace engineers.

Through PhiNyx, he is helping expand San Antonio’s role in aerospace and space innovation, with a vision to accelerate engineering timelines and build advanced hardware in Texas. His work reflects the future of aerospace in San Antonio, combining technical excellence, entrepreneurship, and a commitment to growing the next generation of industry leaders.