Dr. Trent Kingery is an accomplished aerospace leader, aviator, and engineer with over three decades of distinguished service across military, government, and commercial aviation. Currently a 737 First Officer with United Airlines, he previously served as the Chief of Aviation Safety at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, where he oversaw all NASA flight safety operations and investigations for JSC, Ellington Airport, and El Paso International Airport.

A retired U.S. Marine Corps Major and former NASA research pilot, Dr. Kingery holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from North Carolina State University, a B.S. in Electronic Systems Technologies from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, an M.S. in Systems Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering at Colorado State University. He also holds DAWIA Level III certifications in SPRDE and Program Management, and Level I in Test & Evaluation.

Throughout his military and civil service career, Dr. Kingery has flown over 4,800 hours in 25 aircraft—including 695 combat hours and 165 carrier landings—during roles ranging from F/A-18 strike-fighter pilot to T-38N instructor and Gulfstream mission commander. His NASA missions have spanned global Earth science research, astronaut readiness training, and international campaign deployments.

Among his numerous awards and honors are the Astronaut Scholarship, Neil Armstrong Award of Excellence (2022), NASA’s “Yes/If” Safety Award (2024), and the Space Flight Awareness Safety Award (2025), as well as nine Air Medals and multiple commendation and campaign medals.

Dr. Kingery, a recipient of the Astronaut Scholarship in 1998-1999, is a member of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Board of Trustees, a mentor in the ASF Mentorship Program, and a Trusted Advisor for the ASF American Dream Makers Program.

Dr. Kingery is also the founder of Vertical Views Photography®, an aerial photography business, and has advised multiple startup ventures in aerospace and related industries.