Ashley Scharfenberg, Systems Engineering and Integration for Exploration Ground Systems, prepares for her employee incentive flight around NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. As the newly appointed 15th administrator of the agency, Jared Isaacman created a ride-along program to recognize and reward members of the workforce for their dedication to accomplishing agency priorities. Scharfenberg, and Daniel Forrestel, manager, Ground and Missions Operations Office, (not pictured), were the first two employees to be recognized in the ride-along program to fly in Isaacman’s personal Northrop F-5 Tiger II aircraft.