APWO Announces Gibson as New CEO
Lakeland, FL (November, 15 2024) - We are delighted to announce that effective immediately, APWO VP/COO Greg Gibson has officially been promoted to the role of President and CEO of our organization. Over the past 90 days, Greg has been transitioning into this position under the guidance of the APWO Board of Directors and our founding President and CEO, John "Lites" Leenhouts. Lites, who has led APWO since its inception in October 2022, successfully launched the organization in January 2023 and has been at the helm for the first two years, as he initially committed.
Lites' leadership has been instrumental in establishing APWO's foundation and guiding us through our formative years and his dedication and vision have set a strong course for our future. As he transitions from his role as President and CEO, we are pleased to share that Lites will continue to contribute to APWO as a Senior Advisor. In this capacity, he will play a pivotal role in developing our future Advisory Board and spearheading other key initiatives.
Greg Gibson brings a wealth of experience and passion to his new role. With a background in brand management and marketing across industries such as auto racing, wireless technology, and aviation, Greg has demonstrated a consistent track record of success. He owns Tailwind Enterprises, a consulting firm specializing in the branding and marketing of airshows, performers, FBOs, flight schools, and other aviation-related businesses. Notably, Greg served as the first Executive Director for Fagen Fighters WWII Museum in Granite Falls, Minnesota, where he utilized his extensive knowledge of WWII history to design all displays and historical descriptions of the aircraft, personnel, and ground equipment. Additionally, Greg is a tailwheel-endorsed commercial pilot with an instrument rating in both single and multi-engine aircraft, with a particular fondness for flying the PT-17 and AT-6/SNJ.
Reflecting on his tenure, Lites shared, "Leading APWO from its inception has been a profound honor. I am confident that under Greg's leadership, the organization will continue to thrive and uphold the highest standards of professionalism in warbird operations." Expressing his gratitude, Greg stated, "I am deeply honored to step into this role and build upon the solid foundation that Lites has established. His mentorship and unwavering commitment to APWO have been invaluable, and I look forward to working closely with him in his new advisory capacity as we continue to advance our mission."
Please join us in expressing our heartfelt gratitude to Lites for his exceptional leadership and in welcoming Greg as he embarks on this exciting new chapter with APWO.
The Association of Professional Warbird Operators is a membership organization dedicated to serving the Warbird Community with resources, connections, and content that helps promote and sustain the highest level of professionalism across the entire spectrum of warbird operations. https://apwo.org
