Today we’d like to introduce you to Doug Owens.
Doug, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Growing up in a military family, I always wanted to fly and was fortunate to graduate from the Air Force Academy in 1980 and go right off to pilot training. Over 33 years later, I retired as a Lieutenant General after a career of service to our nation that included duty assignments all over the world, flying fighter and training aircraft, operating and leading at the theater and strategic levels and service at the highest echelons in our military.
Following a lifetime in the military and all the experiences learned, continuing to serve in the non-profit realm seemed both logical and satisfying. After exposure to the non-profit world in San Antonio through their Masters Leadership Program, I served on two non-profit boards, one of which I still Chair. I joined the Lone Star Flight Museum as CEO in Sep 2016 to oversee construction, stand-up and opening of the new museum at Ellington Airport and closing and move of its Galveston facility. This adventure has been a family affair from the start. My wife, Teresa, and I have been married 37 years; we raised two sons during that period and moved households 25 different times.
Today, our sons are serving Air Force officers as well. Their families including our four grandchildren were able to see the new museum for the first time this Christmas. We continue to serve for the benefit of our grandchildren and all the youth of the Houston region.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
A life of service always carries some bumps, bruises and sacrifice and my family’s experience is no different. New duty stations, jobs, deployments and family separations including combat duty all add to the personal, professional and family challenge and experience of this way of life. Individually and as a family, we worked through all the challenges together and made great personal and professional friends along the way.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
The new $38M Lone Star Flight Museum at Ellington Airport honors both the rich heritage of Texas aviation and actively promotes science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) as an exciting way to inspire and educate young people towards futures of promise and purpose. We do this in the context of hands on learning that connects history and STEM together and highlights the human dimension of the evolution of aviation technology over time.
What sets us apart is combining a pristine collection of vintage flying aircraft with the curriculum driven Aviation Learning Center, the self-paced Flight Academy and the Aviation Heritage Gallery that chronicles the evolution of aviation in Texas and allows us to present the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame. The 71 members of the Hall of Fame represent Texans that were aviation pioneers, leaders, entrepreneurs, and military heroes. The combination of all of these elements offer a complete experience for the aviation and history enthusiast but more importantly, it offers inspiration, hope, and the excitement of potential to all of the Houston region’s youth.
Pricing:
- Admission to the Lone Star Flight Museum ranges from $12 – $20
- Military discounts available Active/Retired/Nat’l Guard/Reserve – $12.00
Contact Info:
- Address: 11551 Aerospace Avenue
Houston, TX 77034 - Website: www.lonestarflight.org
- Phone: 346-708-2517
- Email: info@lonestarflight.org
- Instagram: @lonestarflightmuseum
- Facebook: @lonestarflightmuseum
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/lone-star-flight-museum-houston
- Other: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g56003-d12661795-Reviews-Lone_Star_Flight_Museum-Houston_Texas.html
Image Credit:
Lone Star Flight Museum
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