Dan LeBlanc, the marketing whiz who helped develop Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex into a top entertainment destination in Central Florida and beyond, has resigned as the park's chief operating officer.He will leave KSC concessionaire-operator Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, the company confirmed Friday.
LeBlanc was not available for comment.
Kevin Kelly, president of Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, will serve as acting chief operating officer of the Visitor Complex during the search for LeBlanc's replacement.
"He brought the whole Visitor Complex out of the darkness and made it customer friendly," Jim Ridenour, general manager of the Residence Inn by Mariott in Melbourne, said of LeBlanc. "He had a vision. He gave the complex stature in the county and he made it like it belonged to us."
Dan has been a good friend to collectSPACE since his appointment in 2002. He shares our passion for space history and it showed in his work.It was just last month that we spoke about the care for an astronaut's artifacts and his future plans for expanding the visitor complex. I saw him in Washington, DC at the gala celebrating NASA's 50th anniversary and greatly enjoyed our time discussing our shared communities.
I am sure he had good reasons for leaving, but it will be challenge to find a replacement who embodies all the qualities that Dan brought to the position. I wish him the best on his future endeavors.
posted 10-05-2008 10:11 PM
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