Retired Cessna Aircraft chairman, president and CEO Jack Pelton was elected chairman of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) yesterday after the association’s board of directors accepted the resignation of president and CEO Rod Hightower. In his role as EAA chairman, Pelton will guide the organization through the leadership transition.

Hightower joined EAA in 2010. According to EAA, he is leaving to spend more time with his family in St. Louis, since they didn’t make the move to Oshkosh as originally planned.

In the meantime, “I will be working closely with the EAA board of directors to ensure a seamless transition to a new leader. The directors of EAA and I thank Rod for his service. We understand how difficult it is to relocate a family of school-age children," Pelton said.

"EAA, as does all of aviation, faces many challenges with the continuing economic slump and the decrease in personal aviation participation. As an association, Rod and the senior team have put the organization on a solid path to our future, while honoring our legacy and focusing on the mission…to welcome all members no matter what they fly, celebrate our volunteers and enjoy the world’s greatest aviation celebration.”