EAA CEO Will Speak at June 6 Dinner at Wichita's Hyatt
Regency
The Wichita Aero Club, in cooperation with the United Way of the
Plains, will raise funds for displaced workers by hosting an
evening gala and silent auction at 7 PM on June 6, 2009 at the
Hyatt Regency Hotel. The "No Black Tie" Black Tie Ball will feature
Tom Poberezny, Chief Executive Officer of the Experimental Aircraft
Association and the unveiling of the Wichita Aero Club trophy which
will be presented to a person or organization with ties to the
local community who has contributed significantly to the
advancement of aviation during the previous calendar year or over
an extended period.
The 2009 event is designed to benefit the more than 10,000 aviation
workers in the Wichita area who have been laid off or displaced in
recent months. "Since the annual Wichita Aero Club trophy will not
be presented this year, our board of directors felt that it was
imperative that a prominent and appropriate speaker be invited to
the event in order to attract significant participation from the
local community. We are extremely happy that Tom Poberezny, whose
long association with the airframe manufacturers, suppliers, and
EAA members who annually attend the EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh,
Wisconsin each summer has agreed to be our keynote speaker. He's an
ideal choice and we greatly appreciate his willingness to join us,"
said Wichita Aero Club Executive Director Dave Franson.
Tom Poberezny was first elected president of EAA in 1989 and was
named Chairman earlier this year, succeeding his father, Paul, who
retired. During his 20 year tenure at EAA, membership in the
organization has increased 40 percent, to 170,000 members
worldwide. An accomplished aviator in his own right, Poberezny was
a member of the U.S. National Unlimited Aerobatic Team that
captured the World Championship in 1972.
In 2002-2003, he played a pivotal leadership role in the
national centennial celebration of flight. He was a member of the
Centennial of Flight Commission, empowered by Congress to
coordinate and publicize the nation's commemoration of the Wright
brothers' historic first flight. Most recently, he has spearheaded
EAA's leadership role in the new sport pilot/light-sport aircraft
categories in the U.S. These new categories for pilot and aircraft
certification are breaking down the time and expense barriers that
prevent many people interested in flying from pursuing their
dreams.
One of Poberezny's most demanding roles has been chairman of the
annual EAA AirVenture Fly-In Convention for more than 25 years.
During that time, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, as it is now known, has
grown to be the world's largest annual general aviation event,
attracting an attendance of more than 500,000 from 70 nations and
10,000 airplanes for one spectacular week every summer.
"In the charter of the Wichita Aero Club we established a plan to
recognize special achievement in aerospace by annually presenting a
trophy to deserving individuals or organizations at a black tie
event," Franson explained. "This year is, however, unique, in that
it's our first year and one in which our industry has been
extremely hard hit by the economic downturn. For that reason, we
decided to 'adjust' our focus in 2009 by simply introducing the
award rather than presenting it to a recipient, and concentrate our
efforts on doing what we could to assist the thousands of our
colleagues and neighbors who have lost their jobs or been severely
impacted by the state of the economy. Instead of an event that
simply celebrates accomplishment, we are collaborating with the
United Way of the Plains to do something that will literally
provide a way to help people in need," he added.
The "No Black Tie" Black Tie Ball is a unique twist on the
originally planned event. "We're suggesting that attendees save the
money they planned to spend on tuxedos or evening wear and use it
to purchase items at the silent auction, thereby contributing to
the Laid Off Workers Fund. 'Cocktail attire' will be the
appropriate dress code for the evening," Franson explained. "We
appreciate this gesture on behalf of the Wichita Aero Club and its
member companies and individuals," stated Pat Hanrahan, president
of the United Way of the Plains. "The aircraft industry is a vital
part of our nation's economic strength and its employees annually
are among the highest donors in the United Way system. Now they
need us and we will be there for them," he noted.
The evening's event will also feature a silent auction. Its
proceeds, along with most of those from ticket sales, will be
donated to the United Way of the Plains Laid Off Workers Fund. The
auction will include a variety of unique items, many with an
aviation flavor. Donations are being accepted by the Wichita Aero
Club for inclusion. The Wichita Aero Club was founded in October of
2008 and hosts monthly networking luncheons at the Wichita Airport
Hilton Hotel. The organization was established to foster and
promote interest in aviation, provide a forum focused on the
industry's issues and achievements and bring together those with a
passion for flight in an environment that expands and enhances
professional relationships and furthers cooperation and
understanding.