Aerospace Center For Excellence Assumes Management

The Lakeland Aero Club (LAC) and the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE) announced a new partnership in which ACE will take over managing the day-to-day operations of the club and continue to nurture an environment to develop young aviators into responsible young adults and leaders.

ACE is committed to collaborating with the LAC Board of Directors to ensure the mission of the LAXC thrives: Making Tomorrow’s Greatest Aviators, Today!

The LAC was founded in 2011 by aviation philanthropist James C. Ray, who funded the program to establish its foundation for the purpose of exposing young people to various aspects of aviation. It started as an after-school program for students of the Central Florida Aerospace Academy and students had the opportunity to participate in aviation seminars, airport disaster drills, and logged ground training toward their pilot certification.

In 2015, Ray funded construction of the 12,500 square foot hangar on the campus of Sun ‘n Fun to house the LAC’s growing fleet of aircraft. The club currently has 25 student members engaged in daily activities such as ongoing restoration and maintenance projects as well as flying the club’s gliders and airplanes.

With this partnership, Gene Conrad, President and CEO of ACE, will serve as President of the LAC. Chase Lee, Engagement Director for the ACE, will be the new Director of the LAC. Lee served at the CFAA for three years as the instructor for the aviation maintenance and avionics. He is certificated as an aircraft mechanic, private pilot, and FAA ground instructor.

FMI:  aceedu.org/