Kathryn (KT) Budde-Jones, musician, archaeological diver for Mel Fisher during Atocha treasure recovery

Kathryn (KT) Budde-Jones joins Fantasy of Flight as a member of their marketing team developing promotions, events, group sales and spreading the word on Florida’s premiere aviation attraction. KT has spent the past seven years developing innovative programs and promoting the Flying Tigers Warbird Restoration Museum in Kissimmee, Florida. For her efforts, KT was awarded the prestigious 2004 Larson Award for outstanding service and contributions to Osceola County’s Tourism Industry. KT and her husband Syd, are both active in the Warbird community, flying their own WWII T-6 Texan to various air shows and flying events.

KT discovered her passion for history while discovering the multi million dollar remains of the famous Spanish Galleon, Nuestra Senora de Atocha, which sank off of Key West (FL) in 1622. As an archaeological diver and boat captain for Mel Fisher, KT was instrumental in the recovery of over $500 million worth of history and shared the Atocha’s precious cargo and heritage with the world through the outreach programs she developed for the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum. KT took that passion of giving history a future and applied it to aviation when she and her husband moved to central Florida in 1997.

Raised in Wisconsin, KT has a Bachelor in Music and a Masters degree in Education. Since 1998, she has been a member of the Orlando Opera Company performing in over 16 productions at the Bob Carr Theater. KT is active with the Kissimmee St. Cloud Visitors Bureau Market Advisory Committee, Military Marketing and group tour sales, the Heritage and Eco tours programs AOPA Airport Support Network Representative for the Kissimmee Gateway Airport, EAA and North American Trainer Association Board Member.

FMI: www.fantasyofflight.com