Henry Ogrodzinski & David Greene
Washington, D.C. – Officials with the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) have announced that its president and CEO for the past 18 years, Henry Michael Ogrodzinski, 65, died Wednesday, January 22, 2014, following a two-year battle with cancer.
“Over the past 18 years, Henry led our organization with tremendous passion towards aviation and sincere concern for all NASAO members, friends, and aviation industry stakeholders,” said Christopher Willenborg, Chairman of NASAO and Director of Aeronautics for the State of Massachusetts. “His strong leadership qualities, extensive experience in the aviation industry, and ability to effectively communicate on Capitol Hill made him one of the most recognized and respected spokespersons regarding aviation-related matters, nationally.”
Ogrodzinski assumed the leadership of NASAO in 1996. The organization represents state government aviation agencies, serving the public interest, in all 50 states, Guam and Puerto Rico.
Prior to NASAO, Ogrodzinski held a number of other senior management positions in different sectors of the aviation community.
Ogrodzinski began his career at the Delco Electronics Division of General Motors in Milwaukee, Wis., where he was responsible for all communications and training programs. Delco Electronics manufactured navigation and flight-management systems for commercial, military and space applications.
Ogrodzinski left Delco to become the Director of Policy and Planning for the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. In this role, he was often asked to provide expert testimony before Congress on a wide variety of aviation issues. He also served as EAA Director of Corporate Communications. In this role, he managed all public and media relations for the world’s largest aviation event and served on the editorial board of EAA’s five magazines. Ogrodzinski played an integral part in the growth of EAA, its museum and its annual convention throughout the 1980s, and in doing so, worked side-by-side with EAA Founder & President Paul Poberenzy, and his son and successor, Tom Poberezny.
Based upon his aviation and government affairs experience, Ogrodzinski was recruited by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) to lead its communications programs. While with GAMA, he produced several publications and multi-media presentations, demonstrating the importance of General Aviation to elected officials and others. He also managed the activities of the industry-wide GAMA Public Affairs Committee. He became well known as a leading aviation advocate and spokesman for his work in focusing the media spotlight on the product liability crisis, which was devastating the industry at the time.
Recognizing Ogrodzinski’s talent in communications, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation recruited him to consolidate its worldwide public affairs, exhibitions, and advertising efforts. Ogrodzinski bore the ultimate responsibility for planning and executing the highly successful domestic and international introductions of the G-IVSP and G-V business jets. Gulfstream named Ogrodzinski Vice President of Marketing and Communications and made him a corporate officer.
Ogrodzinski left Gulfstream to become the first president and CEO of the then 20-year-old United States Air & Trade Show in Dayton, Ohio. There, he rescued the troubled and financially beleaguered organization by producing the largest and most successful events in its history. In recognition of his contributions to the show and the air show entertainment industry, Ogrodzinski was featured on the cover of the industry’s leading magazine at the time.
Henry Ogrodzinski is a veteran of the U.S. Army and an honors graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism – Mass Communication. He is a member of many aviation organizations and the recipient of numerous military and civilian awards.
Ogrodzinski was often quoted by the news media as a “perceptive observer” of the aviation industry. He also served on a number of government and industry panels and boards, such as the U.S. Aviation Security Advisory Committee Working Group On General Aviation (Co-Chairman), Board of Nominations of the National Aviation Hall of Fame, Collier and Brewer Trophy Selection Committees, Alliance For Aviation Across America, Aero Club of Washington, and National Aeronautic Association (NAA).
In 2012, Ogrodzinski received NAA’s “Distinguished Statesman of Aviation Award,” and the “Career Contribution In Aviation Award” by the Texas Department of Transportation. In 2013, he received the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the New York Aviation Management Association.
Ogrodzinski is survived by his wife of 21 years, Ellen Barrett; his brother, Zenith of Apollo Beach, Florida; and his sister, Gloria Jenders of Oak Creek, Wisconsin. Ogrodzinski has six nieces and three nephews. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, January 28, 2014, at Joseph Gawler’s Sons Funeral Home, 5130 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016, and all family, friends and colleagues are welcome. Visitation will be 10:00 to 11:00 am, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 am, and a reception at 12:00 noon. Flowers may be sent to the funeral home, and cards and letters may be mailed to Ellen Barrett, 255 12th Street SE, Washington DC 20003-1401.
