Troy Thrash –Operations / Organizational Consultant

A man of infinite imagination and constant reinvention, covering the width and breadth of Troy’s experience is a job best left to posterity. From Pennsylvania stargazing as a child igniting his love of science and the wonder that comes with it, Troy has brought his infectious enthusiasm, dogged work ethic, and profound belief in the power of education to everything from the Space Telescope Science Institute and the Da Vinci Science Center to the Pennsylvania Youth Theatre Board and Kalamazoo’s own Civic Theatre. He’s even mastered the art of government work as Executive Director of the National Aerospace Development Center, where his efforts brought federal and state governments, industry groups, educators, workforce systems, and community developers together to develop vital workforce programs.

Today Troy is the CEO of the Air Zoo Aerospace and Science Experience and its most vocal advocate for STEM and STEAM accessibility for Kalamazoo’s youth. Coupling his leadership with a brilliant team, the Air Zoo has grown from having 119,000 guests in 2013 to a record 215,000 visitors from all over the world in 2023.  He is also the current Board Chair of Discover Kalamazoo and commits time to the Kalamazoo Rotary and various other organizations passionate about educating and inspiring young people.  Troy’s best life is spent with his wife Jody and their four children: Jada, Gavin, Brynnica, and Dawson.