OSHKOSH: Hightower takes EAA reins

Fifty-seven years of Poberezny governance of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) will come to a close on 7 September when businessman and pilot Rod Hightower takes over as president of the 160,000-member organisation.

Tom Poberezny, current president and son of former president and founder, Paul Poberezny, says the selection had been ongoing for five years, and was based on finding someone that possessed EAA “DNA”, a background in operations and management and an understanding of communications skills needed to run a global organization. “Communication is expected and instantaneous today,” says Poberezny, who will remain as chairman of EAA and will focus on “business partnerships, philanthropy and the organization’s endowment”.


© Billypix Tom Poberezny (left) will had over control of the EAA to Rod Hightower on September 7, ending over 50 years of Poberezny rule.

© Billypix

Tom Poberezny (left) will had over control of the EAA to Rod Hightower on September 7, ending over 50 years of Poberezny rule.

Hightower has more than 25 years of business and management experience, most recently running a portfolio of businesses for a private equity fund based in St. Louis. An EAA member for more than 20 years, he has owned two aircraft, including a Stearman biplane that he purchased as a “basket case” and restored with the help of EAA.