Thorp Air Command - T18.net

WOW! Talk about a shorttimer!

October 22, 2012 - The Board of Directors accepted the resignation of President and CEO Rod Hightower today. Hightower will be returning to St. Louis to reunite with his family.

"Maura and I have five children ranging in age from pre-school to college freshman," Hightower said. "When I accepted the position two years ago I believed that we could as a family relocate to the Oshkosh area. But our family and school involvement have increased as our children advance in the schools they, and we as their parents, love. It would simply be too great a hardship on my family to move them to the Oshkosh area."

Jack Pelton, recently retired Chairman, president and CEO of Cessna Aircraft, has been elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of EAA. In his role as EAA Chair, Pelton will guide the organization through the leadership transition.

"I will be working closely with the EAA Board of Directors to ensure a seamless transition to a new leader," Pelton said. "The directors of EAA and I thank Rod for his service. We understand how difficult it is to relocate a family of school-age children."

"EAA, as all of aviation, faces many challenges with the continuing economic slump and the decrease in personal aviation participation. As an association we must remain focused on the original mission of our founder, Paul H. Poberezny, to welcome all members no matter what they fly, celebrate our volunteers, and treat our employees fairly," Pelton added.


http://www.eaa.org/news/2012/2012-10-22 ... nt-CEO.asp

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Hightower has not been popular with a large number of EAA members. I think you can rest assured that he is not leaving entirely (if at all) because of his family.

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John Evens
Arvada, Colorado
T-18 N71JE (sold)
Kitfox 7 SS N27JE

That was also the consensus at our EAA Chapter Board meeting last night.

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Matt Smith
Des Moines, IA
55RC

WOW!!! I am no longer a newbee, I am now a Jr. Member. And it only took me 3 years and 2 days. WooHoo...

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Matt Smith
Des Moines, IA
55RC

Lee,
Many long time EAAers (myself included) have been very dissatisfied with the direction the organization has taken in recent years. I really noticed it when the sticker changed from "Experimental Aircraft Assn" with a home built hybrid displayed to the generic "EAA" they have now. A change in viewpoint reflected the change.
Several of us wrote letters to the BOD stating we would hesitate renewing membership based on "casual indifference" shown to members by the organization. Evidently, it worked. Hightower was part of the problem, not the solution IMHO. EAA's future now depends on the commitment of the BOD to point in a new (or old) direction.

Time as they say, will tell.
Smokey

Oh believe me ... I know! I was keeping quiet on this subject as I think most know how I feel about the current direction of EAA.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

So do you think Jack Pelton will focus more on home builts versus spam cans??!!

The main reason I'm being quiet on this one ... too many people are celebrating ... no guarantee we didn't just step out of the fryer in to the ....

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

My opinion only: This problem started when EAA, as well as other major aviation events in this country, stepped away from the ideal that the main event became an "Air Show" rather than an annual convention of the members. The founding tenents were to gather all folks interested in all forms of recreational aviation for a convention to exchange ideas and see what was new and exciting. It was open to all, but the focus was to gather and learn, not entertain. Certainly the event must pay for itself and the ancillerary operation of the association, but the overriding consideration was to be service and value to the members. I hope the organization can get back to the fundamentals.

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Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

Well Spoken Bob, I have the same hopes.....Dan

Jack is just the "interim" guy, until the board selects a new "permanent" replacement for Hightower.

I agree with Bob's comments also.

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John Evens
Arvada, Colorado
T-18 N71JE (sold)
Kitfox 7 SS N27JE

The Fundementals are what is enjoyed the most and there is a lot of Fundementals talk at our Thorp flyins I hope There would be those that would agree with that statement. Details of building,finishing,flying the Thorp a lot of talk on these matters and it makes for a real good time.The Fundementals of perfection in building we have some show birds out there and John and Rich both brought theirs to KVIS!! We have the master pilot, Mr Cubes, shows everyone how to see upside down and tweak their skills,we have new folks, Lou and Phil showed up this year and it is a treat to welcome new Thorpers. We don't have 350 venders, airshows all three days, a massive multitude to contend with, but we do have the Fundementals. Bob is right, Fundementals are paramount, this where we all started after all.......Dan

You're right Dan.. the "type" flyins are the best. You did a great job at KVIS... It was indeed a special weekend! I know how much work is involved, having helped host a couple of them here in Colorado. Thank you guys again!

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John Evens
Arvada, Colorado
T-18 N71JE (sold)
Kitfox 7 SS N27JE