LAKELAND, Florida — The new president and CEO of the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo and the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE) is a familiar face on the SUN ‘n FUN campus at Lakeland Linder International Airport (KLAL).
Gene Conrad, the director of KLAL, will take over the top duties at SUN ‘n FUN April 11, 2022, right after this year’s SUN ‘n FUN ends. That’s when current president John “Lites” Leenhouts is retiring.
Conrad, who was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, has been KLAL’s director since 2010. During his tenure at the airport, he managed a $200 million capital improvement program, negotiated a 50-year lease with Amazon Air Cargo, and led the successful relocation of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Aircraft Operations Center to the airport.
“Gene’s track record and success here at Lakeland Linder International Airport makes him the best choice for the future of the Aerospace Center For Excellence and the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo,” said Rick Garcia, President/CEO of Gulf Coast Avionics, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Aerospace Center for Excellence.
A graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in Aviation Management, his previous positions include Deputy Director, Marketing Air Service Development, Branson Airport, Hollister, Missouri, and Air Service Coordinator & Marketing Manager, Dayton International Airport, Dayton, Ohio.
Having volunteered at EAA AirVenture for more than 34 years, Gene noted he is well prepared to acclimate into the volunteer culture of a non-profit aviation organization.
“After working closely with Gene as the airport manager over the last 10 years I can state without reservation that his heart and passion has been to ensure that the future of ACE and SUN ‘n FUN was protected for future growth. I am looking forward to seeing ACE/SnF reach new heights of success under his leadership,” said Leenhouts.
He officially joins the team March 7, 2022, to start the transition to be the next CEO following the completion of the 2022 SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo.
“I am both humbled and honored to be given the opportunity to lead such an incredible organization that just within the last several years has evolved from not only a major aviation expo, but now a nationally recognized aerospace youth education complex, educating thousands of students annually. I am anxious to join the team and share in my passion for aviation,” Gene said.