Jared Isaacman is an American entrepreneur, pilot, philanthropist, and commercial astronaut, best known for his leadership in the payments industry, aviation, and private space exploration[2][3]. Born on February 11, 1983, in Union, New Jersey, Isaacman demonstrated early entrepreneurial drive by founding United Bank Card—later renamed Harbortouch and then Shift4 Payments—at age 16 from his family’s basement[1][2]. Under his leadership as CEO and later Executive Chairman, Shift4 Payments grew into a leading integrated payment processing company, handling $200 billion in transactions annually for 60,000 merchants[2][3]. His business acumen earned him recognition as one of “America’s Best Entrepreneurs” by BusinessWeek and multiple nominations for Ernst & Young’s “Entrepreneur of the Year”[1]. Isaacman’s passion for aviation is equally notable. He holds over 7,000 flight hours and is rated in multiple experimental and ex-military aircraft[3]. He co-founded Draken International in 2011, now the world’s largest private air force, which trains pilots for the U.S. Armed Forces[3][5]. He has also performed in over 100 airshows with the Black Diamond Jet Team, dedicating proceeds to charity, and set two speed-around-the-world flight records in 2008 and 2009 to raise funds for the Make-a-Wish Foundation[3][5]. In the realm of space, Isaacman commanded SpaceX’s Inspiration4 mission in September 2021, the first all-civilian orbital spaceflight, which raised over $240 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, including his own $100 million pledge[2][3]. He is also the commander of the upcoming Polaris Dawn mission, part of a series aiming to advance commercial space capabilities, and is currently undergoing astronaut training with SpaceX[2][4]. His total time in space, following Inspiration4 and Polaris Dawn (completed September 2024), is nearly eight days[4]. Isaacman is married to Monica Isaacman, whom he met in middle school, and they have two daughters[5]. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University[1]. His blend of business leadership, aviation expertise, and commitment to philanthropy continues to make him a prominent figure in both the technology and aerospace sectors[3][6].