Mon, Feb 20, 2012
Decorated U.S. Naval Aviatior Joins EAA Staff
Jim DiMatteo, a decorated U.S. Naval Aviator who has served in
several aviation leadership positions, is joining EAA as Vice
President, AirVenture Features and Attractions. In that role,
DiMatteo will be responsible for developing and coordinating the
programs for the annual EAA AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in.
DiMatteo recently retired from the U.S. Navy as a Captain
following an impressive career, which included leading 2011’s
Centennial of Naval Aviation Foundation programs nationwide. In
more than 20 years as a Naval Aviator, he flew more than 5,000
hours in five different fighter aircraft, including 72 combat
missions in support of Operation Desert Storm. DiMatteo also served
as Commanding Officer for TOPGUN Adversary Squadrons in Florida and
Nevada (VFC-111 and VFC-13), where his squadrons earned the
unprecedented “Triple Crown of Naval Aviation” –
top honors for operations, safety and maintenance. Following that
achievement, DiMatteo was promoted to a position reporting directly
to the Commander of Naval Air Forces, overseeing all TOPGUN
Adversary Programs.
From 2006-10, DiMatteo served as International Race Director for
the Red Bull Air Race World Series, a worldwide series of aviation
events that captured public imagination and high visibility as a
unique aerial competition featuring the world’s top aerobatic
pilots. In 2011, DiMatteo was invited to join Air Race Inc., an
international company that is developing the next generation of
single aircraft timed air racing.
“Jim DiMatteo is an excellent addition to the EAA
staff,” said Rod Hightower, EAA President and CEO. “His
background, expertise and leadership will enable us to make EAA
AirVenture – already ‘The World’s Greatest
Aviation Celebration’ – even better.”
DiMatteo earned an engineering degree from the University of
California-Berkeley, and has served on a variety of professional
and civic organization boards. He also owns and operates an
award-winning restaurant in San Diego’s popular Gaslamp
Quarter. DiMatteo and his wife, Kathy, have two children: a
daughter (11) and a son (8).
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