Rod Hightower and EAA

[flyingriki]

There is a pretty interesting conversation going on in the RV forum (the big, commercial one) about getting some folks on the board that actually believe in the original EAA instead of this new thing, whatever it is that wants to be all things to all people. Might be a chance to get some focus back to the roots and away from the AOPA wannabe circus.

[steveinindy]

Might be a chance to get some focus back to the roots and away from the AOPA wannabe circus.

It'll be interesting to see if anything comes of it.

[Kyle Boatright]

I don't believe Tom ever hired a full-time person to manage his self-image - see - http://www.eaa.org/careers/comm_specialist.asp

This job posting created much recent discussion at our Chapter meeting of a "this is a disturbing" nature. Another thing we talked about is how many good staff members have quit EAA recently. Anybody with business experience will know this is a huge red flag.

Yikes. I work for an organization with 25,000 employees. We don't have anything like that position. Heck, Warren Buffett doesn't have anyone in that role...

[Jim Clark]

Look at the job description:
This position provides direct support to the CEO as that position's personal "press secretary," communications liaison and brand advocate. This position is to provide strategy and implementation for the CEO's internal and external communications. This position will also be expected to travel with the CEO and assist in event management and coordination pertaining to the CEO's event-specific role.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Develop the CEO's personal brand and align with the organization's brand.
• Create internal and external public relations/communication strategies that help channel and deliver the CEO's personal/corporate brand.
• Build strong media relationships to secure CEO press opportunities.
• Write the CEO's personal/corporate messaging using channels such as press releases, social media posts, video scripts, speeches, etc.
• Work in collaboration with EAA's marketing department and its Senior Communications Advisor as a liaison between marketing/communication efforts and the CEO's communication initiatives.
• Assist in coordinating all CEO's appearances, including press conferences, Grassroots Pilot Tour, gala dinners, program launches, Chapter visits, etc.
• Seek opportunities to elevate brand awareness for the organization via the CEO's communications.
• Pitch brand and programs to media to attain editorial/speaking opportunities for the CEO.

So in layman's terms - this guy would be Jeff Dunham, and the CEO would be.....Walter?

[steveinindy]

Personally, I prefer Achmed.

[BRP]

The same doom and gloom was put out about how he was going to destroy the EAA, etc, etc. Even as a eight or nine year old, I remember thinking people were overreacting.

The situation was a bit different in that Paul would never had let Tom destroy what he had worked so hard to create. Rod isn't invested that way.

There is a pretty interesting conversation going on in the RV forum (the big, commercial one) about getting some folks on the board that actually believe in the original EAA instead of this new thing, whatever it is that wants to be all things to all people. Might be a chance to get some focus back to the roots and away from the AOPA wannabe circus.

Obviously EAA can't be everything to everyone, and changes take time to assimilate. AirVenture is nice but has become much like a big business convention rather than a community gathering. I expected to be blasted heavily for starting this thread, and it is interesting that at least some members feel that there are legitimate concerns about the change in management, and the direction in which we are heading. Part of the difficulty, perhaps, is that we are becoming way too big and are split between today's EAA and the old grass roots EAA Paul started years ago. The bigger EAA grows, the more bureaucratic it will be, the more staff like press secretary, etc., it will need. My hope is that we can manage ourselves carefully and appropriately, establish a balance with more emphasis on grass roots and maintain what we already have.

[Chad Jensen]

In his April 2012 Commentary about membership services for instance, Rod stands prominent over membership manager Vicky Norton. Why?

Bernie, I know there are conspiracy theorists out there, but I really think that your analysis of pictures as they may or may not relate to the story is a bit out there. Rod's column picture in the April issue (not with Vicky Norton, BTW) was taken with one of EAA's best MSR's, and the asking of 'Why' is almost troubling to me. Why not? It's a great picture representing the Membership Services department. That's it. Asking "what is behind this photo" prompts me to answer "page 2".

And why is Hightower pictured sitting in a B17, covering almost a quarter of page 1 of the May issue commentary, when it is about unsafe hand-propping of an airplane?

Rod went for a ride in the B-17 with Paul and Audra (yes, Audra) at the controls. I think he feels that picture is special to him because of who was flying the airplane, and you'll see it as his column profile pic quite a bit, regardless of the subject.

Then there is the June issue commentary, and it is all about Rod’s family, particularly his son’s soloing at age 16. I must admit that it is nice to know a little about his family, but his story was centered on it, not the experience of a first solo.

Can't the guy be proud of his family and his son's accomplishment and write about it? Seriously...

And did you notice who stands out in the trio pictured in J. Mac Mcclellan’s column this month? Always bigger than life and usually on the left side is Rod, even though the column is about Bob Vuksanovic. Ok, so I’m being too critical, Rod is a big guy and would naturally stand out in any photograph. Obviously the problem is in the photography.

Too critical? Ya think? If I have to explain what's behind every picture in the magazine, I won't get anything done for the homebuilt community. When I look at that picture, Paul stands out to me. He always does.

Rod owns a Stearman and a T-6? That seems to be the case according to Jeff Skiles June 2012 column.

And there's a problem with this because??? Look, we have a leader that LOVES to fly. He owns a couple of airplanes, and that's a BAD thing? When did Tom fly for fun as CEO? This is a GREAT thing guys! We had a flying club dinner last week, and you know who was GIVING rides in his T-6 until dark? Rod. He flies for fun!

He also flies it in the dark without lighting on the instrument panel. As leader of a safety conscious organization such as the EAA, is this setting the right example? Is it wise? While practicing flying seat of the pants may be good practice if done with a safety pilot on board that is using flight instruments, it should not be condoned or considered safe.

You need to re-read that column Bernie. There are no lights in the REAR cockpit...where Jeff was sitting. It was about Jeff flying at night with no cockpit lighting while Rod sat up front...yep, with lights...the safety pilot you speak of.

I know there is still a lot of animosity out there toward EAA and the leadership here, but as a flying organization, we need to fly. And as a CEO, Rod needs to be seen. He is the face of the organization...and he's a passionate aviator.

[CarlOrton]

Thanks, Chad; it's good to see you hopefully clarifying things.

I remember a few years ago, there was great consternation within the organization because no one wanted the Poberezny's to leave the picture. Well, gee folks, unfortunately we all suffer the same eventual fate, so we had to find *somebody* to take over the reins (sp?) before it became an emergency.

I had the pleasure of meeting Rod at the Chapter Leader's breakfast the day after his selection. I kind of embarrassed myself (which I do frequently) by saying to him, "When I heard you were selected, I said, 'Oh, crap...'" ...which REALLY threw him for a loop. I then clarified:

With all the hand-wringing in the organization over picking a successor, I thought that the board & the Poberezny's would pick just about anyone who could fog a mirror, just to let Tom retire. However, upon hearing the intro to Rod's background, and hearing him talk about his PASSION for aviation, I was convinced they found about as good a guy as they could have found.

Yeah, he comes from a different background, but so what? We all do. Rod does things a bit differently, but he's adapting as well. It's good to see that he still prefers the Stearman, and hasn't succumbed to travelling exclusively by bizjet.

There's no one out there that can match the expectations of 100% of the membership. As in life, everything's a compromise. If we can't find anything legitimately BAD about Rod, (other than interpreting positioning in a photo), then let him work his stuff. I'm thrilled that he's continued to maintain the same aviation values he showed us on his first day on the job. Give the guy a break.

[BRP]

Chad Jensen said: "Bernie, I know there are conspiracy theorists out there, but I really think that your analysis of pictures as they may or may not relate to the story is a bit out there."

Sorry Chad but I am clueless about any conspiracy theorists. All that I am pointing out is that the magazine featured Rod over the individuals about which a piece relates to or is written about.

Chad Jensen said regarding owning a T-6: "And there's a problem with this because??? Look, we have a leader that LOVES to fly. He owns a couple of airplanes, and that's a BAD thing? When did Tom fly for fun as CEO? This is a GREAT thing guys! We had a flying club dinner last week, and you know who was GIVING rides in his T-6 until dark? Rod. He flies for fun!"

No there is no problem with owning a T-6 and it's nice that Rod can afford it. It does make me think that in times when many are facing job loss, foreclosure and other financial problems that EAA should focus less on flying club dinners and rides in T-6s and more on ways for the little guy to get up in the air. Lets face it, aviation is a rich man's sport that by necessity excludes way too many of us.


Chad Jensen said: " You need to re-read that column Bernie. There are no lights in the REAR cockpit...where Jeff was sitting. It was about Jeff flying at night with no cockpit lighting while Rod sat up front...yep, with lights...the safety pilot you speak of.
I know there is still a lot of animosity out there toward EAA and the leadership here, but as a flying organization, we need to fly. And as a CEO, Rod needs to be seen. He is the face of the organization...and he's a passionate aviator."

Ok, perhaps I do need to re-read that column. It is good to hear that someone was acting as a safety pilot, but Chad, you too ought to re-read this entire thread and listen rather than re-act.

So why is there animosity toward EAA leadership? We can argue all day to no avail unless we make a conscious effort to open our minds and listen constructively to one another's view points. I have nothing against Rod and as I said before, I expected to be blasted for this post. It is instructive but disappointing to know that the criticism that came, with some amount of furry I might add, is from EAA staff rather than community members.

[Chad Jensen]

Sorry Chad but I am clueless about any conspiracy theorists. All that I am pointing out is that the magazine featured the Rod over the individuals about which a piece relates to or is written about.

Hehe...wasn't pointing to you as a conspiracy theorist...it was mentioned in jest is all.

No there is no problem with owning a T-6 and it's nice that Rod can afford it. It does make me think that in times when many are facing job loss, foreclosure etc., EAA should focus less on flying club dinners and rides in T-6s and more on ways for the little guy to get up in the air. Lets face it, aviation is a rich man's sport that by necessity excludes way too many of us.

That's exactly what the EAA employee flying club is about...getting more people at EAA involved in flying...on the cheap. The employee flying club was established to make a model and consider it as a repeatable action on the chapter level to have a flying club. It's as cheap a flying as one can do, and we hope to make it a success so it can be utilized to get more people flying.

BTW...the flying club "dinner" was generic hot dogs and chips, a staple of any cost-conscious flying club (we have our own budget and operating account outside of EAA).

Ok, perhaps I do need to re-read that column. It is good to hear that someone was acting as a safety pilot, but Chad, you too ought to re-read this entire thread and listen rather than re-act.

I have read the entire thread...I'm just trying to clarify. Didn't mean to sound reactive, and listening to my community is the only way I'll be successful. I want to serve you all as best I can to ensure the EAB community continues to grow.

So why is there animosity toward EAA leadership? Perhaps EAA leadership is not listening. Anyway, we can argue all day to no avail unless we make a conscious effort to open our minds and listen constructively to one another's view points. As I said before, I expected to be blasted for this post. It is instructive but disappointing to know that the criticism that came, with some amount of furry I might add, is from EAA staff rather than community members.

Agreed 100%. Fury was not my intent...my apologies.