A longtime associate and ambassador of all things Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex – which Delaware North operates for NASA – is set to be honored for his commitment to the property and its mission.

Nick Thomas, a communicator at the visitor complex, will be honored in November with the National Space Club Florida Committee’s 2017 Harry Kolcum News and Communications Award. Each year, the committee recognizes area representatives of the news media and other communications professionals for excellence in telling the space story along Florida’s Space Coast and throughout the world.

Born in Daytona Beach, Fla., Thomas has had a passion for the space program since watching the first launches of the Mercury program from his backyard. He came to work at Kennedy Space Center Visitor
Complex in 1987, when he briefed the public on processing and flight operations for the space shuttle and expendable launch vehicles. He also assisted in the development of the specialty bus tours.

He is currently assigned to the visitor complex’s Astronaut Encounter office, where he assists the astronauts with presentations, schedules and special appearances. He also gives two daily briefings to the public on current operations at Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

“What an honor and privilege the last 30 years has been for me,” Thomas said. “Sharing an award with the likes of Jack King, Hugh Harris and Jim Banke is an honor I never envisioned for myself. This business has no shortage of mentors, and I have had the best.”

Thomas’ name was submitted by Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex’s chief operating
officer, Therrin Protze, and Vice President of Business Development Darlene Koenig.