For more than a century, Boeing has stood behind America's strength and innovation. It's the teammates of Boeing whose skill, pride, and commitment have helped power America's progress – supporting the nation's past, shaping its present, and helping build its future.
As the National Archives Freedom Plane – a Boeing 737 crewed by Team Boeing – transports nine historic documents to communities nationwide, BNN will feature Boeing employees in the regions in and around Freedom Plane tour stops.
With its most recent stop in Houston, read the stories of Texas employees who share their memories and why they take pride in building the future of aerospace.
Above left: Overton and his wife Jennifer stand across the VAB from Artemis II just days before its first rollout in 2026. (Photo courtesy of William Overton) Above middle: Deven Perez represents Boeing Defense, Space & Security while volunteering at The Great Texas Airshow at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph in 2026, where the team engaged students, families, and visitors with demonstrations, hands-on activities, and career conversations focused on STEM. (Photo courtesy of Deven Perez) Above right: Farah Al Fulfulee wears an analog suit with a virtual reality set that shows the Moon. The Crew State and Risk Model (CSRM) project will enable autonomous decision support on crew health and performance during Extravehicular Activities (EVA’s) on the Moon during Artemis missions and Mars where no real-time support from Mission Control Center (MCC) or ground personnel will be available. The primary objective is to define the accuracy bounds of the model in an analog suit “true baseline” as a phased precursor step toward validation of the Traverse and Fatigue models in a pressurized suit. (Photo courtesy of Farah Al Fulfulee)
Farah Al Fulfulee, System Design and Analysis Engineer for the International Space System (ISS) Program in Houston, Texas:
Al Fulfulee moved to the United States from Iraq in 2016 and began working at Boeing in 2022.
“I’m a Middle Eastern girl who started watching the sky from my roof when I was just 4 years old,” Al Fulfulee said.
Al Fulfulee knew she had to find a way to the U.S. to be a part of the aviation and space industry. So, she left everything she knew, got her U.S. citizenship and landed a role at Boeing.
“I’m exactly where I belong - contributing to this country and the programs that are making my dreams come true. Knowing my daily work on the ISS brings me and America closer to the stars makes every past challenge worth it.”
As a System Engineer supporting the ISS Program, Al Fulfulee is also an active participant, volunteer and test subject in NASA studies, supporting the agency's Artemis campaign and the Orion spacecraft.
“I’m so grateful that I got to watch Artemis II from launch to landing. It’s such a blessing to be living in the Artemis era.”
As Al Fulfulee reflects on America’s 250th anniversary, it represents the peak of her journey from Iraq to Boeing and NASA, proving that the American dream is achievable through perseverance. “It serves as a celebration of the all the opportunities that allowed me to transform my childhood passion for space into a career helping humanity reach the stars.”
Deven Perez, Product Review Engineer with Boeing Defense, Space & Security in San Antonio, Texas:
Perez joined Boeing in 2025, but his passion for aviation started when he was young, always dreaming of becoming a fighter pilot or astronaut.
Perez gains inspiration from a quote from President John F. Kennedy: "The American, by nature, is optimistic. He is experimental, an inventor and builder who builds best when called upon to build greatly." When reflecting on those words, Perez shared that, “the spirit of innovation and responsibility continues to define my work at Boeing today. I’m proud to play a small but meaningful role in carrying that legacy forward.”
Perez’ work supporting Executive Fleet programs directly support the nation by ensuring readiness, reliability, and safety of aircraft. Maintaining the airworthiness of Executive aircraft means helping safeguard continuity of government and ensuring leaders can operate without interruption under any circumstance.
As we celebrate America's 250th anniversary, Perez takes pride in contributing to our national security. “Supporting aircraft that protect our country’s leaders and enable command during national emergencies is both a professional responsibility and a personal honor. It's a reminder that aerospace innovation has always been intertwined with American leadership and strength.”
Christopher Prado, Project Manager for the C17 MX and Mods Program Management Team in San Antonio, Texas:
Prado began his career with Boeing as an aircraft mechanic assistant intern in 2006 then became an employee in 2007. Prado served as a Boeing Resource Group Boeing Familia officer and supports Boeing’s local community engagement initiatives.
As the youngest grandchild in his generation, Prado was always fascinated by stories about B-52s and Kelly Air Force Base from his personal hero and grandfather, Joaquin Prado. After serving in the United States Army 25th infantry division during World War II, his grandfather worked as a structure mechanic and radio repairman until his retirement at Kelly Air Force Base, which is now Boeing San Antonio. “His legacy inspired me to pursue a career in aviation, even as the only family member to do so,” Prado said. “I’m proud to support the company and contribute to San Antonio’s rich aviation history.”
Prior to his grandfather’s passing, Prado was able to bring him to the Boeing San Antonio site for Boeing Family Day, allowing his grandfather to see how much the site has evolved and to witness the new aircraft being serviced at Boeing San Antonio.
“My work at Boeing is deeply fulfilling, especially when I see C-17 aircraft flying over San Antonio for test flights, induction, or delivery,” Prado said. “It’s a source of great pride to know that my work contributes to the nation’s air dominance and helps lay the foundation for the next 250 years of aviation innovation and advancement in America.”
William Overton, International Space Station Program Integration Office IT Liaison, All Points (Boeing supplier) in Houston, Texas:
Overton has supported several Boeing projects since 2006 and is currently a proud teammate of All Points, a Boeing supplier since 2002 that provides engineering services to Boeing on multiple contracts and programs. Supplying over $250 million in products for multiple programs over the years, All Points has twice been named Boeing Supplier of the Year.
“Bill is a behind-the-scenes worker who never asks for attention yet is integral to our success,” said Lorraine Otten-Weston, a Boeing teammate and colleague of Overton’s. Otten-Weston has worked with Overton for about 20 years on the ISS Program and praised him when he was awarded the NASA Space Flight Awareness (SFA) Honoree Award in 2025.
Referring to himself as a “NASA brat,” it’s as if Overton was born to do this work. His father worked for the X-15 Program when Overton was born at Edwards Air Force Base in 1958, the same year NASA was formed. His father transferred to Houston when the Manned Spacecraft Center (now Johnson Space Center) started in 1963, which gave Overton a front seat view to watching his father support the Apollo Program.
“Being here at Boeing during the Artemis Program is like following in my dad’s footsteps. He was at NASA during the first Moon landings, and now here I am, supporting the Artemis Moon missions. Watching the Artemis II mission was like reliving the Apollo 8 mission when I was kid. I can’t wait to see Artemis III rollout and prepare for the next mission.”
