At a press conference yesterday, EAA President and Chairman Tom Poberezny introduced Rod Hightower as the new EAA president, effective Sept. 7. Poberezny will remain EAA Chairman. Hightower is only the third president of the association, and the first non-Poberezny. Tom’s father Paul Poberezny founded EAA in 1953 and served as president until son Tom took over in 1989. Tom Poberezny, 63, said, “Rod’s selection completes a process that I began in 2005. He has a passion for aviation that is absolutely essential to serve EAA’s 160,000 members as well as the extensive business operations background that is necessary to successfully meet the challenges and opportunities ahead for EAA.”
Tom Poberezny will continue to serve as chairman of the annual AirVenture event as well as expanding EAA business opportunities, philanthropy and administering the association’s endowment. Hightower has more than 25 years’ business and management experience in domestic and international business. He has led companies with as many as 2,300 employees. Equally important to EAA, he is a vintage airplane enthusiast who flies his own Stearman biplane from Creve Coeur Airport near St. Louis. He said, “I’m honored to be selected as the next leader of such a passionate group of aviation enthusiasts as EAA members, since I’ve long been a part of the organization for more than 20 years. There is much work ahead, but I am eager to start.” Hightower was selected from a group of more than 700 candidates.
