On Friday, November 14, the Lone Star Flight Museum (LSFM), Houston, Texas, traded its hangars for the charm of Paris, hosting an evening filled with Eiffel Tower replicas, red-rose arrangements, and bright poppies. Close to 500 guests attended Jet Setters Ball ’25: Destination Paris, helping raise $700,000 in support of the museum’s STEM initiatives, educational programming, exhibits, and extensive collection of commercial and military aircraft. The evening also paid tribute to LSFM Board Member Ralph B. Thomas, a U.S. military veteran, business leader, and philanthropist.
Thomas, who grew up in a family of pilots, earned his pilot’s license at 19 before pursuing both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Texas. In his twenties, he served with the Texas Air National Guard at Ellington Airport. He went on to spend nearly five decades as a financial strategist with Fayez Sarofim & Co., playing a major part in the firm’s long-running success. For nearly a decade, Thomas has also been a dedicated member of the LSFM board. His support and guidance have helped the museum broaden its education and outreach efforts, and he has personally backed programs designed to inspire young Texans to explore aviation.
Gala co-chairs Donna and Matthew Noll, along with Lone Star Flight Museum President and CEO Anna Hawley and the LSFM board, welcomed a wide mix of elected officials, supporters, volunteers, sponsors, and media. KPRC Channel 2 meteorologist Justin Stapleton served as the Emcee for the evening. Special guests included former U.S. Congressman and LSFM Board Chair Pete Olson and his wife, Nancy; Harris County Judge Eric Andell; Harris County Judge Caroline Dozier; Houston City Council Member At-Large Position 3, Twila Carter; Friendswood Mayor Mike Foreman and his wife; Captain Ron Caputo, Deputy Commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston; and Texas Aviation Hall of Fame honorees Bill Bussey and AI Cisneros.
The guest list also featured Chris and Ellen Clair Thomas, Michael and Alicia Fertilia, Flo McGee and Wade Upton, Brenda and Joe Cialone, Charlie and Carol Herder, Edith Hernandez, Kyra Joiner, Cheryl Boblitt and Bill King, Ellen and Paige Michael Cokinos, Angie and Frank Hinnant, Ashley and Black Boyd, and Holly Waltrip and Edward Sanchez. LSFM President and CEO Anna Hawley shared her gratitude, noting, “Not only does Ralph serve as an impactful board member and generous donor for the Lone Star Flight Museum, but he also continues to fuel the museum’s focus on supporting our country’s veterans, celebrating Texas aviation history, and inspiring future leaders in the workforce. Our gala chairs, Donna and Matt Nol, led a great team to create a fantastic event. Collectively, our chairs, the host committee, board members, sponsors, staff, and our guests made this year’s gala a success. We are grateful to all of them for the enormous support.“
Lead sponsors for the 2025 Jet Setters Ball included Fayez Sarofilm & Co., the Hildebrand Fund, Joan Skipper and Ed Peine, and Bette and Ralph Thomas. United Airlines joined as the museum’s official airline partner for the gala. The Events Company brought the Parisian theme to life with immersive decor, including an 8-foot shimmering Eiffel Tower positioned in the middle of the hangar. City Kitchen crafted the evening’s menu, beginning with a reception featuring mini lobster Newburg tarts, seared tuna, and other hors d’oeuvres. Dinner included a baby lettuce and shrimp salad, braised beef short rib, crepes, broccolini, and a dessert spread of chocolate mousse, truffles, chocolate-dipped gooseberries, and edible flowers.
The Honorable Eric Andell took the stage as Expert Big Board Auctioneer, joined by Josh Rush of Johnny Bravo Entertainment for the live auction. Guests were encouraged to “bid big” and “bid often.” Featured items on the Big Board included a curated wine collection, a private event at LSFM, a gourmet dinner prepared by City Kitchen, and a luxurious hunting getaway to Cibolo Creek Ranch. Live auction highlights ranged from a Ferrari Challenge Race Car experience to a villa stay in Tuscany, a U.S. Open Tennis Championship weekend, a private jet trip to Florida, and several high-end European travel packages. Throughout the night, guests were encouraged to explore the museum’s permanent aircraft displays, sit inside space shuttle simulators, test their skills in flight simulators, enjoy STEM-based exhibits, ride the MaxFlight simulator, and learn more about the 100 inductees of the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame. For more information about the Lone Star Flight Museum, visit www.lonestarflight.org.
