The Lone Star Flight Museum and Texas Aviation Hall of Fame recently accepted the resignation of Ralph Royce as president and CEO. Royce has served in this capacity since 1991. Larry Gregory, currently vice president of the museum, will assume Royce’s duties. Royce will continue to serve the museum in a consulting capacity.
“I cannot thank the volunteers and staff enough, for they have helped make this organization into the world-recognized collection of aircraft and aviation memorabilia that it is,” said Royce. “I have had a wonderful ride, but I have been planning this for some time. There are a couple of things I want to try in the aviation and air show worlds, and now is a good time to try them.”
Robert L. Waltrip, founder and chairman emeritus of the museum, said it’s hard to imagine the Lone Star Flight Museum and the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame without Ralph Royce.
“He has played a crucial role in the development of both,” Waltrip said. “Without Ralph’s strong leadership and the commitment of our board, supporters and volunteers, we wouldn’t have the world-class physical plant, the world-class aircraft collection and the world-class reputation we enjoy today.”
Marshall Cloyd, chairman of the museum’s board of directors, thanked Royce for his 15 years of service on behalf of the board of directors.
“His daily presence will be missed, but we’re pleased that Ralph will continue to contribute to the museum as a consultant,” Cloyd said. “We also feel that we have a fine successor in Larry Gregory and look forward to his leadership.”
The Lone Star Flight Museum is home to an award-winning, flying collection of more than 40 historically significant aircraft and is regarded as one of the premiere aviation museums in the country. The museum and the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame are located at Galveston International Airport next to Moody Gardens and the new Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark.
For more information about the museum, call 888-354-4488 or visit [http://www.lonestarflight.org].