LAKELAND, Fla. (June 29, 2022) – With the ever-growing Aerospace Expo requiring more and more resources to meet demand, Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE) and SUN ‘n FUN (SNF) announce the addition of Jana Filip to the team as Business Development Manager.
In her new role, Filip will be responsible for creating and managing initiatives that cultivate individual, corporate, and foundation gifts, grants, programs, and events – all targeted to provide financial support for the Aerospace Center for Excellence, Inc. and SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In, Inc.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Jana to the team,” said Gene Conrad, president and CEO. “This is an area we’ve anticipated expanding in order to continue the growth of our organizations and missions. With her considerable experience and passion for the industry, we know Jana is the right person for the job.”
Filip comes into the role with two degrees in education and many years in event planning, including two decades in aviation events specifically. She served on the planning committee for the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in 2002. Upon the 2004 debut of the Sebring Expo, the first show dedicated the sport aviation community, she volunteered at and helped plan the event, as well as directed the event’s Hospitality Booth. Then in 2011, under the mentorship of Expo founder Bob Wood, Filip was asked to direct the Sebring Expo. In 2016, after directing her sixth Expo, Filip was recruited to DeLand, Fla. where she founded the DeLand Showcase, which also featured the sport aviation community.
Given her extensive resume, a detailed-oriented Filip offers expertise in long-range planning and leadership and management skills in strategic planning, revenue generation, and public relations. She also brings creativity and visualization with a deep belief in the power of positive thought, as well as an extreme commitment to the success of the organization.
“The passion within the leadership team at SNF/ACE is ignited, and great initiatives are in the works, with extremely aggressive programming over the next five years,” Filip said. “I’m thrilled that I get to be a part of this incentive, this special team, and a cause near and dear to my heart: preparing our youth for their generation of aviation and to ensure aviation soars.”
To learn more about the SNF/ACE team, please visit www.flysnf.org/about-us/meet-the-team.
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Located in Lakeland, Fla. on the southwest corner of Lakeland Linder International Airport (KLAL), SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In, Inc. (SNF) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit that markets and supports dozens of year-round events, including the Aerospace Expo. The Expo began in 1974 as a fly-in for sport aviation enthusiasts and has since grown into one of the largest and most successful aviation events on earth. Annually, over 200,000 visitors now flock to what has become known as “Aviation’s Season Opener” or “Spring Break for Pilots” and features a showcase of hundreds of aircraft; a major trade show with over 500 exhibitors; STEM and Career Fair activities; and world-famous daily and night airshows.
Proceeds from SNF events are the primary source of funding for The Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE), which has emerged as a nationally recognized leader in STEM-related and aerospace education. In addition to SUN ‘n FUN, ACE is the home of the Florida Air Museum, Florida’s Official Aviation Museum and Education Center, and the Lakeland Aero Club, which is the country’s largest high school flying club.
For more information on SUN ‘n FUN, please visit www.flysnf.org or call 863-644-2431.