LAKELAND, Florida — SUN ‘n FUN President and CEO John “Lites” Leenhouts, who has been at the helm of the organization for more than a decade, will retire after the 2022 SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo.
During his tenure, the organization has transformed not only the operating state and organizational culture, but also the perspective from which it operates, according to officials.
“He was the perfect addition to our team,” said Tracy Neal, Chief Financial Officer. “I don’t think we could have found anyone with more experience or excitement about aviation. He jumped right in and helped us transform from a not-for-profit living on a line of credit to a not-for-profit able to survive the COVID pandemic. He has guided the team through major improvements across the entire campus, including our latest addition of the Ramus SkyLab Innovation Center. He has forged bonds with volunteers, donors, and students that will be remembered for years to come.”
Since arriving in August 2011, Lites led the SUN ‘n FUN team from an extremely challenging fiscal situation into a position of financial strength for the first time in more than 30 years, officials noted.
Under his leadership, the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Campus on Lakeland Linder International Airport (KLAL), has seen millions of dollars in capital improvements, as well as the formation of the world’s largest high school flying club and the creation of the Aerospace Center for Excellence, which includes the Central Florida Aerospace Academy, the Florida Air Museum, and the new SkyLab.
Before joining SUN ‘n FUN, Lites spent 27 years as a Naval Aviator, followed by 11 years at Northrop Grumman.
“Of all the wonderful accomplishments that I have been privileged to be a part of while here, the most rewarding experience has been observing average kids populating our ACE/SNF campus and over a very short period of time evolving into competent, capable, and focused young men and women who have become good citizens with bright futures,” Lites concluded.
After his first SNF, at the volunteer Tail Dragger, I told Lites that he had done a good job for a newbie and I expected great things from him. He has followed my expectations and will be missed.