Hangar 915 is completing the professional path toward public opening. Follow the transformation.
Two Brothers Looked at the Same Aircraft - and Saw Different Problems to Solve.
Ismael studied the airplane itself: its size, structure, equipment, labor, and the physical sequence required to move it. John studied what could happen inside and around it: the lessons, partnerships, stories, celebrations, and visitor experience that could give the aircraft a useful future.
THE FOUNDATION
El Paso, Education, and the Habit of Solving the Next Problem
Raised in a family of six children by a determined single mother, the brothers learned to contribute what they could, solve the problem in front of them, and make the most of every opportunity.
Education expanded those opportunities. Both attended UTEP and built careers serving students and families across El Paso. Neither background included a course called How to Move a Boeing 727. Both careers taught the same lesson: a large problem becomes possible when the next step becomes clear.
MEET ISMAEL
Ismael Lara
Educator, Scholar, Community Advocate, and Hands-On Builder
On the hottest days of the move, when a rusted connection refused to release and a simple task became an afternoon, Ismael was usually the brother closest to the aircraft. He measured progress in whatever the airplane surrendered next: one screw, one panel, one section, one safe lift.
A UTEP Top Ten graduate in 2009 with a Master's Degree in Bilingual Education, Ismael spent years turning limited time and resources into after-school environments where students could learn, connect, and grow. He later founded STEAMspirations to make science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics clearer and more accessible to young people.
At the aircraft, the educator and builder became the same person. He helped dismantle, transport, restore, and rebuild the Boeing 727 with his own hands.
Every physical problem became a lesson in sequence, patience, adaptation, and the belief that difficult work becomes possible when the next action is visible.
"After-school programs showed me how powerful the right experience can be. If this plane helps a child discover a new interest or future goal, every hour of work will have meant something."
MEET JOHN
John Lara
Educator, School Leader, and Creative Producer
A fuselage on a truck does not yet look like a classroom, wedding venue, or community destination. John's role was to keep connecting today's difficult task to tomorrow's visitor experience.
John earned his Bachelor's Degree in 2009, completed a Master's Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, and pursued doctoral work focused on psychology, cognition, and instruction. His work as a math teacher earned the districtwide Martha Valdez Teacher of the Year Award. He later spent six years coaching mathematics and science teachers before moving into school administration.
Across those roles, he kept seeing the same pattern: students leaned forward when learning connected to something they could picture themselves doing. Teaching, psychology, educational media, partnerships, and storytelling now help shape Hangar 915's educational and visitor vision.
"A student does not need to understand every step of a future career. Sometimes they simply need one experience that makes the first step feel possible."
THE OPERATING SYSTEM
Different Strengths Moved the Same Mission Forward
Build it
Hands-on labor, logistics, restoration, problem-solving, equipment, and visible physical progress.
Give it purpose
Education, visitor experience, partnerships, media, programming, and long-term vision.
That difference was not a gap. It became Hangar 915's operating system. One problem could begin beside the aircraft and end in a partnership conversation. Another could begin as an educational idea and require a physical change to the space.
Underneath the degrees, awards, and Boeing 727, they remain two brothers from El Paso who love the city that shaped them. When they are not talking about education, working on the aircraft, or planning the next stage, there is a good chance they are grabbing an order of Chico's Tacos.
"Maybe I can do that too. That is the thought they hope a child carries home."
