THOMPSON NAMED DIRECTOR OF SALES & SPECIAL EVENTS AT SUN ’n FUN
SUN ’n FUN CAMPUS, LAKELAND, FL. – December 5, 2011 SUN ’n FUN President John R. “Lites” Leenhouts announced that Irene Thompson has been named Director of Sales & Special Events for SUN ’n FUN Fly-In, Inc. and its Florida Air Museum. In making the announcement, Leenhouts said he “was very impressed with Thompson’s extensive and varied experiences including the planning and production of high level events and visits while she served as Director, Protocol/Executive Services at the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) at MacDill AFB, Tampa, FL”. He added, “these events included responsibilities for the entertainment and reception for very significant world figures, including the King of Jordan, President Bill Clinton, and Saudi Arabian dignitaries.” “These experiences”, he noted “and the planning skills they required provide SUN ‘n FUN with a seasoned, knowledgeable professional prepared to actively promote the unique array of event-based facilities available on the SUN ‘n FUN campus to Polk and Hillsborough County organizations throughout the year.”
Irene Thompson joins SUN ‘n FUN after an accomplished 21 year Air Force career that included ten highly challenging assignments and in-country living deployments in England, Korea, Germany, and Iraq. “The diversity of these assignments”, Lites noted, “has prepared Irene Thompson to address the specific needs of the array of potential clients for whom SUN ‘n FUN will offer a home for their event or activity”.
Irene Thompson, earned her Bachelor of Science, Psychology, from Fayetteville State University and a Masters of Science, Public Administration from Troy State University, Troy, Alabama. Her distinguished Air Force career included an array of assignments including Military Support Flight Commander, 100th Service Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, England, Wing Executive Officer, 96th Air Base Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, Chief of Protocol, Air Force Special Operation Command Headquarters, Hurlbart, FL, Joint Personnel Officer, US Forces Korea, Youngsan, Korea, Director, Protocol/Executive Services, USCENTCOM, Tampa , FL, Director, Manpower & Personnel, USCENTAF & 9th Air Force, Shaw Air Force Base, Sumter, SC, Director of Protocol, United States Air Forces Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Director, Executive Support, Multi-National Forces-Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq, Deputy Political Advisor (POLAD) and Plans & Staff Officer, US Air Forces Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Joint Policy Officer, US Central Command J5, Tampa, FL, Senior Analyst, Joint Interagency Training Specialist, US Special Operations Command and US Central Command, and Joint Staff J7, Tampa, FL.
Irene is a resident of Tampa where she is involved in the activities of her teenage daughter and son. Her interests are varied and include snow skiing, golf, the arts, fishing and travel.
SUN ’n FUN, a 501(c) (3) not–for–profit organization based in Lakeland, Florida, is best known for its annual International Fly–In & Expo. The Fly-In event is the primary source of funding for an expanding menu of year–round, aviation-oriented education programs offered through the Florida Air Museum (FAM). FAM is a separate 501(c) (3) not–for–profit organization that was named the state’s “Official Aviation Museum and Education Center” by the Florida legislature in 2003. FAM has initiated education programs for aviation enthusiasts of all ages – especially young people – featuring valuable “hands on” learning experiences primarily through science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) initiatives. SUN ’n FUN and FAM provide ongoing support to the Central Florida Aerospace Academy (CFAA), a high school career academy located on the SUN ’n FUN campus that was created in partnership with the Polk County School Board, Polk State College, the University of South Florida Polytechnic, Gulf Coast Avionics and other education-minded organizations. A growing scholarship program provides financial support to ensure these education programs are accessible to all. For more information lease visit www.sun-n-fun.org.
