Story by Laura Pennino for State Aviation Journal
State Aviation Journal published a story about Shelly deZevallos by Penny Rafferty Hamilton, Ph.D. on Nov. 10, 2023. Editor Kim Stevens asked what Shelly has been up to since then and what she is planning to do next. Here’s what we learned.
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Shelly Lesikar deZevallos is an accomplished aviation industry leader, pilot, valuable contributor to her family’s business, and a candidate for public office.
A third-generation pilot, Shelly has been serving as the president of West Houston Airport (KIWS) since April 2018. Her father, Woody Lesikar, began offering flying lessons there in 1967, and he established West Houston Airport flight school – which is now the oldest, continuously operating family-owned flight school in Houston. Shelly was sweeping hangars there when she was eight years old.
Shelly declared her candidacy in October 2025 for the Texas 38th Congressional District race. She was one of 10 Republican candidates in the primary. Election Day was Tuesday, March 3, and Shelly made the runoff. The runoff election will be held on Tuesday, May 26.
In her characteristic style, Shelly is approaching the runoff with optimism, tenacity, humility, and a solid commitment to serving her fellow Texans and fellow Americans.
A native Houstonian and fifth-generation Texan, Shelly grew up and attended school in the 38th Congressional District. She cares deeply about important issues such as transportation, flooding infrastructure, public safety, education, and workforce development.
“For our family, flying is as natural as driving a car. My grandfather was a pilot, and my dad is a pilot, so I grew up around airplanes and airports. When I was 13 or 14, my dad sat down with me and said I needed a backup plan. He taught me to fly so that I could have a career in case college didn’t work out,” Shelly recalled.
To her credit, both flying and college worked out.
Shelly earned her pilot’s license when she was 17. She has since logged over 5,000 flight hours. She has earned commercial, multi-engine, single-engine land, glider, and instrument certifications.
And what about college?
After graduating from high school, Shelly earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas and became the first person in her family to earn a college degree. While managing her business and personal responsibilities, she earned an Executive Master of Business Administration degree from Texas A&M University and a Doctor of Education in Aviation and Space Science degree from Oklahoma State University.
Commitments and Accomplishments in Recent Years
Over the past three years, Shelly has been addressing her ever-growing personal and professional responsibilities as a working wife and mom of teenage twin daughters while also deepening her commitment to community engagement and public service initiatives.
As a former member of the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council (one of the largest Girl Scouts Councils in the United States), Shelly was instrumental in introducing a “Discover Aviation Patch” in March 2024. She also moderated panels of accomplished women in aviation and aerospace as part of Girls in Aviation Day at the Lone Star Flight Museum in Houston in September 2024 and September 2025.
“Girls and young women have the same abilities and opportunities as men do in all aspects of aviation – they just need to go for it. They need to believe that anything is possible,” Shelly said. “The Discover Aviation Patch Program encourages girls of all ages to explore aviation through hands-on STEM activities, such as pre-flight inspections and flight simulators. I am honored to have played a role in making this program a reality for thousands of girls.”
Shelly was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to chair the Texas Governor’s Aerospace and Aviation Advisory Committee in August 2024. She was appointed to this committee by Governor Abbott in 2021. She was also appointed by Governor Abbott to the Texas Small Business Freedom Council (Texas DOGE) in 2024.
Shelly serves as a member of the board of directors for the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and the Experimental Aviation Association (EAA).
“Both organizations are invaluable to the aviation industry. NBAA’s focus on safety and advocacy helped drive my passion for federal policy and its impact –for example, the use of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) for collecting fees when it was designed for safety,” Shelly said. “As for EAA, AirVenture is held in Oshkosh, Wisc., every year that brings close to 700,000 aviation enthusiasts and people who love any aspect of aviation. State Aviation Journal readers have to attend! Throughout the week, there is anything and everything to do with aviation – from maintenance to welding, to plane watching, to evening fireworks, and to airshows.”
Why Politics Now?
In speaking engagements and interviews, Shelly frequently addresses the needs of her district and the future of aviation — particularly its rapid evolution. She highlights the need for strong safety oversight and thoughtful policymaking as heavy‑lift drones, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) vehicles, supersonic aircraft, and commercial space vehicles enter the national airspace system.
As a guest earlier this month on the AVIATE with Shaesta Waiz podcast episode, “From the Flight Deck to Public Office: Shelly deZevallos on Why Aviation Experience Belongs in Policy,” Shelly explained her rationale for entering politics and what she hopes to achieve as a Congresswoman.
“I have grown up in the aviation industry. With airspace modernization and other developments taking place, we need someone in Congress who knows and understands the aviation industry inside and out,” Shelly said.
“I was born and raised in the 38th Congressional District, and I have been a part of local, state, and national policy decisions for years,” she said. “I’m the workhorse that we need in Congress. Ultimately, my job as a Congresswoman would be to serve the needs of the people in my district to the absolute best of my ability.”
And how does Shelly’s family feel about her political goals?
“I am fortunate to have tremendous support from my entire family, my husband Chris, and our daughters. I feel compelled to do and be my very best in all aspects of my life and work. I am especially committed to making Houston, the great state of Texas, and our country a better and safer place – on the ground and in the air,” Shelly said.
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To learn more about Shelly deZevallos, please visit www.shellyforcongress.com, www.westhoustonairport.com, and www.linkedin.com/in/shellylesikardezevallos.
Laura Pennino has 45 years of journalism and public relations experience. She is a contributing writer for State Aviation Journal, Coast Monthly Magazine and many other media outlets. Pennino is a graduate of the LSU Manship School of Journalism. Learn more about her at www.penninoandpartners.com and www.linkedin.com/in/penninoandpartners
