The Return of EI Toro

Abstract

Aguilar is working with retired Lt. Col. Grant Williams, who serves as the foundation's vice president of operations, in raising funds for the new museum and managing its construction. The museum's 20-mem-ber board of directors include a mix of former Marines, entrepreneurs and educators, including Charlie Crookall, owner of Shaw Development Partners, Don Esmond, a retired executive at Ford Automotive, and Glenn Roquemore, the former president of Irvine Valley College. First and foremost is to honor the history and legacy of Marine Corp aviation, and, because we're here in Orange County, to point out the economic contributions that Marine Corp Air Station El Toro and Marine Corp Air Station Tustin gave to the economic growth of Orange County," Aguilar said.

Simon, Ouilters Help Fund Leatherneck Museum Move

IRVINE -El Toro is back, at least as a museum, thanks to significant donations from Orange County entrepreneurs.

A big piece of the former Marine Corps Air Station will be unveiled in the coming weeks when groundbreaking occurs on a $60 million museum that features Orange County's contributions to the wars fought between the 1940s and 1980s.

The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum, which is scheduled to open in late 2026, will feature a wide variety of aircraft, from planes that took fire in World War II's Pacific Theater to the first jets ever in combat in Korea to a helicopter that helped people escape Saigon at the end of

Vietnam War.

Among the donations was $8 million from the Ronald M. Simon Family Foundation, ranking it No. 11 on the Business Journal's annual list of the biggest donations in 2024. Ron Simon, who is known for successfully starting and selling three companies, ranked No. 39 on the Business Journal's annual wealthiest list with an estimated fortune of $ 1.49 billion.

Simon said he contributed to the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum based on the memories he had growing up during World War II, and what the U.S. military did to preserve the country.

"I want to try to instill (in our kids) the same appreciation I have and my generation of our military," Simon told the Business Journal.

Another large donor was $10 million in January from Ann and Colonel Charlie Quilter, USMC retired. Separately, brother Pat Quilter made a $3 million donation. The Quilters are known for starting QSC LLC, which specializes in audio, visual and control systems. It was sold last year for $1.2 billion to Atlanta-based Acuity Brands Inc. (see separate articles).

The Business Journal this week is highlighting the largest charitable gifts in 2024. See page 24 for more information.

Experiential Programming Expected at OC Museum

The newest version of the museum, planned to be built near Wild Rivers at Irvine's Great Park, is being backed by the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation. Michael Aguilar is overseeing the museum's re-launch in Orange County.

"People need to walk into these museums and exhibits and displays, instead of just seeing a static display of something and read the information, we want ours to be hands-on," Aguilar told the Business Journal. "We want to bring these exhibits to life."

The new aviation museum is returning to its Irvine roots after spending two decades at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar air base in San Diego.

Visitors will be able to experience things such as sitting in a plane cockpit and reading a navigational map, Aguilar said. Docents would be veterans and aircraft enthusiasts sharing stories of how various parts of an aircraft work, such as an ejection seat.

Aguilar is working with retired Lt. Col. Grant Williams, who serves as the foundation's vice president of operations, in raising funds for the new museum and managing its construction.

Over the last three years, the museum has received about $40 million in grants and donations to help with the relocation, including a $20 million grant from the city of Irvine.

The museum's 20-mem-ber board of directors include a mix of former Marines, entrepreneurs and educators, including Charlie Crookall, owner of Shaw Development Partners, Don Esmond, a retired executive at Ford Automotive, and Glenn Roquemore, the former president of Irvine Valley College.

The Museum's New Future is Almost Here

The Flying Leatherneck Museum started off at El Toro in 1989 but was relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego. The Marine Corp decided to shut down the museum in 2021, and the foundation entered discussions with the city of Irvine for a possible relocation to the former El Toro air base.

"I ended up volunteering for the foundation. When we decided to move the museum, I was brought on as an employee, as the president and CEO of the foundation," Aguilar said.

Aguilar and Williams managed the transport of all the aircraft from the former Flying Leath- erneck Aviation Museum at Miramar, where the public could view the airplanes and helicopters as part of an outdoor exhibition.

A general contractor has been hired, and the foundation will shortly submit its plans to the city of Irvine.

"The museum has four main targets in our mission. First and foremost is to honor the history and legacy of Marine Corp aviation, and, because we're here in Orange County, to point out the economic contributions that Marine Corp Air Station El Toro and Marine Corp Air Station Tustin gave to the economic growth of Orange County," Aguilar said.

The other goals of the museum and foundation are to inspire patriotism through the exhibitions, providing a safe haven for veterans and to garner interest in the sciences, mathematics, engineering and technology.

"We believe, in order to maintain our national security, we have to have a strong science, technology, engineering and math, homegrown group of individuals." ¦