New Officers Installed at Banquet

The chapter held its annual officer installation banquet in October. Guest speaker Mark Bontrager, vice president of operations for Space Florida, described his agency and its functions. Space Florida is Florida's agency responsible for promoting aerospace business activities all over the state. Working with the Air Force at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station launch site of the satellites and with NASA at Kennedy Space Center, it has coordinated the use of a shuttle hangar by Boeing to build a spacecraft and use of launch complex 40 by NASA's contractor SpaceX (Space Exploration Technology). That company launches its Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station. The chapter also recognized Minerva Stern as its AFCEAN of the Year for her exceptional performance as vice president of sponsor activities. Heidi Hughes, regional vice president, officiated the installation of officers and committee members for 2012-2013.