A Major Collaboration and Coordination: AOPA and EAA
Two of General Aviation’s major groups are putting their efforts together. Historically, in one sense, it may have begun when the EAA announced in March, 2009 the appointment of Tom Poberezny as chairman of the board of that organization, after EAA’s founder and previous chairman of the board, Paul Poberezny, 87, officially stepped down as chairman. Tom is continuing with his current duties as president as well as filling the chairman’s role.
Additionally, he announced a leadership succession initiative to prepare the organization for the next phase of growth, planning to work with the Board to initiate and lead a search for a new president. Continued success and continuity of leadership are key objectives.
After joining the organization, EAA’s new president is assuming responsibility for day-to-day operations and will focus on enhancing membership value and growth. As chairman, Poberezny is to provide ongoing counsel to the organization while focusing specifically on building EAA’s endowment, which will lay the foundation to a secure future.
“It is my goal to responsibly secure the future of this organization and provide continuity of leadership,” Poberezny said. “I’m very proud of EAA’s accomplishments over the past half century. The organization is financially strong and ready to invest in its long-term future. I look forward to dedicating my experience and energies toward ensuring EAA’s ongoing success.”
EAA embodies the spirit of aviation through the world’s most engaged community of aviation enthusiasts. EAA’s 160,000 members and 1,000 local chapters enjoy the fun and camaraderie of sharing their passion for flying, building and restoring recreational aircraft.
In addition to being President of the EAA, Poberezny has been the Chairman of the annual EAA Fly-In Convention since 1977, the event attracting more than 800,000 people from 70 nations and 12,000 airplanes to Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, WI.
As President of the EAA Aviation Foundation, Tom and father Paul have been visionaries in the world of aviation, having led the concept, design, and development of the EAA Aviation Center in Oshkosh that also houses the EAA Air Adventure Museum. One of the Foundation's main projects is the "Young Eagles" program. This program plans to take one million young people for a free demonstration airplane ride by the year 2003 - the 50th anniversary of EAA and the 100th anniversary of the first powered flights by the Wright brothers on December 17, 2003. In
May 21, 2007, Tom received the Distinguished Wisconsin Aviator Award Saturday, May during the 10th annual Deke Slayton Airfest in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Astronaut Mark Lee, the 2000 recipient, presented the award. Among those also present was past recipient (2003) Maj. Gen. Albert Wilkening, Adjutant General of the Wisconsin Army and Air National Guard.
"I am very pleased to receive this award in joining outstanding past recipients," Poberezny said. "I accept it with great pride."
Hamid Quraishi, award chairman, lauded Poberezny's leadership in aviation and his lifelong involvement in flight. "The great contributions he's made to aviation and all his credentials makes Tom Poberezny a most deserving recipient," Quraishi said.
In June 2009, AOPA president Craig Fuller and Poberezny, along with senior staff from each organization, met to discuss how they can work more closely to support general aviation (GA). They agreed to a collaborative, three-pronged commitment to protect general aviation interests, promote GA safety, and grow the general aviation community in the United States.
“This is a logical collaboration that makes sense for the greater good of general aviation,” Fuller said. “Each of our associations has been an effective advocate for GA. But now I look forward to EAA and AOPA working more closely together at all levels to protect and grow general aviation, and to keep it safe.” AOPA and EAA leaders identifieda significant number of near-term opportunities for collaboration, which will be evaluated over the next few weeks. In addition, the organizations agreed to jointly host a general aviation roundtable in early 2010 that would include a wide spectrum of the GA community.
Additional information regarding future collaborative efforts will be announced in coming weeks as details are finalized.
By Herb Hill