Author name: Meghn Hill

LAKELAND, FL: The Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE) is thrilled to announce that Eric Crump has been named the organization’s new Executive Director commencing June 1, 2022. Crump, a lifelong lover of all things aviation and aerospace, opened the Polk State College Aerospace program in 2012. Since its inception, he has served as its Director …

Aerospace Center For Excellence Is Proud to Announce NEW Executive Director Read More »

The Aerospace Center for Excellence is excited to announce the re-imagination of Project STRATOS: an aviation leadership and art competition. Project STRATOS finalist will continue to receive prizes and recognition associated with the 2022 SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-in. New this year, competitors will be provided the opportunity to participate in (1) Pathways to Aviation …

Project: STRATOS 2022 Read More »

Getting to Know Our ACE Collegiate Intern: Elizabeth: What drew you to work with the Aerospace Center For Excellence? Ever since I entered the aerospace community, I have always wanted to be a part of something great. When I reached high school, I attended Central Florida Aerospace Academy and noticed I enjoyed the mission of …

Flourishing in Aviation through ACE Internship Opportunities Read More »

President and CEO John “Lites” Leenhouts has been at the helm of SUN ‘n FUN for over a decade and has worked in the industry for 48 years. During his tenure, the organization has transformed not only the operating state and organizational culture but also the perspective from which it operates. Tracy Neal, Chief Financial Officer, …

President and CEO, John “Lites” Leenhouts Will Retire After 2022 Aerospace Expo Read More »

We are grateful to Redbird Flight Simulations (Redbird), who makes aviation accessible by using modern technology and careful engineering, for their continued support of the Aerospace Center For Excellence (ACE) and its educational and tourism eco-system! ACE recently installed 20 desktop training devices designed to support a variety of learning and training objectives in the …

Redbird Flight Simulators arrive on the ACE campus! Read More »

The Aerospace Center for Excellence is a campus focused on not only aerospace and aviation, but also building better citizens with life and leadership skills that extend past classrooms, and workplaces. It is a unique educational campus, offering unique and varied educational programs from designing, building, and maintaining aircraft, to STEMfusion workshops, and even woodworking …

Former James C. Ray Scholarship program participant, Skyler Burnam now working at FAA HeadQuarters! Read More »

We are excited to announce the ACE SkyLab Innovation Center Collegiate Internship and High School Junior Internship Programs. This scaffolded internship initiative offers future aerospace and aviation professionals hands-on training and on-the-job experience in a laboratory setting. Here, interns and junior interns alike can engage, educate, and accelerate a top-down mentorship model. With thorough learning, …

Check out ACE’s SkyLab Innovation Center Internship Programs Read More »

Attention Florida Residents, The Aerospace Center of Excellence announces the chance to participate in the Scale Model Aerospace and Aviation Themed Gingerbread Competition powered by the Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance DUE December 1st! This competition will be a truly delicious sight to be a part of. The theme for this competition is, “The sky is …

Registration Is Open for the Scale Model Aerospace and Aviation Themed Gingerbread Competition. Read More »

We are thrilled to announce the promotion of Melissa Goodson as the new Marketing Director at the SUN ‘n FUN and ACE campus. Melissa has been with SUN ‘n FUN for 16 years, and at the forefront of visual graphics, creative graphics, brand monitoring/branding, digital marketing, vendor relations, and project management. Frequently recognized for her dedication and …

Aerospace Center For Excellence Promotes Melissa Goodson To Marketing Director Read More »