OSHKOSH, WIS. – The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Board of Directors accepted the resignation of President and CEO Rod Hightower, October 22, 2012. Hightower stated that he wanted to spend more time with his school-age children, and he and his wife, Maura, did not wish to relocate their family from St. Louis to Oshkosh because they like the schools their children are attending.
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 Chairman, 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, and indicated that he understands how difficult it is to relocate a family of school-age children.
“As an association, Rod and the senior team have put the organization on a solid path to our future, while honoring our legacy and focusing on the mission our founder, Paul H. Poberezny, established 60 years ago,” Pelton added.
