Rod Hightower and EAA

[martymayes]

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.

So what is the timetable for this to reach the Chapter level?

[Chad Jensen]

So what is the timetable for this to reach the Chapter level?

No timetable at this point. We just launched the club here four weeks ago and we need to get a good sense of an operating model, then work out the repeatable details. We are very hopeful though!

[BRP]

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...Fury was not my intent...my apologies.

No apologies necessary, it is all good dialog. We do appreciate the good work you all contribute even though we don't always agree. Variety is the spice of life.

Bernie

[Chad Jensen]

Absolutely Bernie!!

[Jalsup]

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?

I badly need one of these. I need to work on my personal brand, alignment with company brands I'm in charge of, and my personal messaging. And I need the person to get me coffee and sandwiches too. They used to call this "secretary" which evolved into "personal assistant" which has apparently evolved into "Communication Specialist". Oh...and donuts. Coffee, sandwiches and donuts.

[vaflier]

Chad, Part of the problem as I see it, is that most of us have not had any opportunity to meet and get to know Rod. Certainly with an organisation as large as EAA it is not possible for everyone to get to know him well, but there may be a way for the " masses " to have an opportunity to speak with him in a sense of the word. Perhaps he could host a live web chat for 1 or 2 hours per month, thereby giving all the members a chance to ask the questions that are most important to them. This would certainly help improve his image. It would definetly help him to be seen as more aproachable and help lessen the us against them attitude that I have sensed on so many of these threads. If he seen as being more available to the members at large it would be a great chance to really learn what is on the minds of the membership first hand. Your thoughts ?????.Randy Powell

[Kyle Boatright]

And as a CEO, Rod needs to be seen. He is the face of the organization...and he's a passionate aviator.

The issue, IMO, is that for a while Mac's face was front and center in a lot of SA articles. Now Rod seems to be front and center a lot.

Honest to gosh, Rod and Mac are not interesting to me. Find the 20-something couple building an RV-10 and publicize them. Find the guy who drug a Bonanza out of the weeds and built it back to a showplane. Follow up on a few kids from the EAA Air Academy. Heck, restart the CAFE foundation articles. Those are interesting. A magazine that spends much ink building Rod or Mac's brand is a lost opportunity.

[Chad Jensen]

Chad, Part of the problem as I see it, is that most of us have not had any opportunity to meet and get to know Rod. Certainly with an organisation as large as EAA it is not possible for everyone to get to know him well, but there may be a way for the " masses " to have an opportunity to speak with him in a sense of the word. Perhaps he could host a live web chat for 1 or 2 hours per month, thereby giving all the members a chance to ask the questions that are most important to them. This would certainly help improve his image. It would definetly help him to be seen as more aproachable and help lessen the us against them attitude that I have sensed on so many of these threads. If he seen as being more available to the members at large it would be a great chance to really learn what is on the minds of the membership first hand. Your thoughts ?????.Randy Powell

This has been discussed Randy, and it was well received. It's a great idea and one I think I'll follow up on.

[Joe LaMantia]

Interesting discussion!

The world keeps turning and things change, people resist change especially as they get older. Managing change in large organizations is the most difficult problem a leader can face. Given the state of General Aviation and the smaller pilot population we have a new environment. EAA was established in the early 50's, when the original grassroots scratch built homebuilder was helping grow GA. Today that is a smaller portion of the environment. I read Sport Aviation and my focus is on Brady Lane and the feature articles on specific aircraft or projects. Like most members I would like to fly more and have a hanger full of aircraft, but the economics aren't strong enough to support my wishes. I Club fly because it's cheap, Mac writes to a different segment of GA but that is OK with me. I think Rod is handling the new environment as best he can, maybe he should rebuild and cub and fly to a few grass strips around Wis that would be well received by the "old school" members.

Joe

[Jim Heffelfinger]

I noted yesterday that this thread might get people “thinking”. I was not disappointed.
I had the pleasure of meeting Rod last year at Golden West. Despite all the publicity there were only 40-50 people in the audience - 4 from my chapter (52). Commentary enough on the level of energy left in our chapters.

Rod was approachable enthusiastic and a keen listener. He handled questions from the floor with ease and when emotionally challenged about some of the same issues as expressed here – “ the way it used to be” and lack of chapter development, he allowed a few of us on the floor to provide perspective. I got a thank you nod for my contribution. I am sure he has really good answers to those questions now.

I had the chance to meet Paul at Leadership Feb of 2011 – sadly both Tom and Rod were traveling out of town. Paul and Tom both have that quiet Midwest presentation style. Rod on the other hand is a much larger man in size and energy. He is outwardly passionate and “walks the talk”. EAA needs a charismatic leader for the next crucial 20 years. Exactly (IMHO) what aviation needs.

RE the open position for personal assistant – Many charismatic leaders need someone to keep them on track and focused. Their personal dynamics require a “handler” to keep things tidy and moving ahead in this fast paced world. Personally, I could really benefit from a PA. I would be able to get reports in on time and not forget appointments. I suspect Rod has the same disability as I.

Change for some is not welcome. It invites the need to flex and learn new things. It changes relationships. It causes worry and for some generates fear. My parents are in their 80s. They live with others in their 70s-80s–90s – they really like it - as change happens on their terms and in their way. It gives them great comfort. A luxury that businesses do not have in a dynamic world. EAA is a business – no longer a hand typed newsletter.

I for one like change – I may not do it well and it does require effort – but to stay stagnant drives my ADHD crazy.


If I might digress a bit. Take a look at your chapter. What is the average age? Twenty years ago what was the average age? - 20 years younger than today? We missed a whole generation in chapter recruitment. To attract the next immediate generation we need a different way of doing things - because today’s young eagles will have not have mentors when they need them. .