Leeward Family

Jimmy Leeward, the son of an aviation pioneer, was literally raised on the airports his father operated. He worked in every facet of his father's airplane business since he was old enough to wash an airplane. As an adult, he diversified into real estate development. Gradually, he flew less for business and more for sport. It was then he began to dream of an Aviation Community.

Jimmy joined the Experimental Aircraft Assoc. (EAA) in the early seventies and was soon elected to the EAA Museum foundation board. When the EAA grew out of their space in Milwaukee, Jimmy was tapped to head the Building and Acquisition Committee which was responsible for the planning, design, and construction of the world-class AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh.

Following in his father's footsteps, Dirk Leeward served on the Sun 'n Fun board. A third generation aviator, Dirk also grew up with airplanes. After graduating from the University of Florida with a degree in Business Administration, Dirk joined his father in the family real estate business.

Jimmy's second son, Kent Leeward, who lays claim to being the first person to make their first solo at Leeward Air Ranch (in the family J-3 cub), was involved in the initial development of Leeward Air Ranch, but went on to establish and operate a chain of retail cellular stores across North Florida and South Georgia.  Kent returned to Ocala in 2006 and heads up all operations of the Air Ranch, which includes Association Management, Airport  Management and Sales/Marketing.

That dream of an aviation community built for pilot by pilots came about in 1980. During the planning of Leeward Air Ranch, they visited over 25 airport communities across the country to integrate the best features while avoiding the problems that other some Airparks encountered.

Together, Jimmy, Dirk and Kent combined their professional real estate experience and extensive aviation background to create the perfect place for the pilot, Leeward Air Ranch.