1. Thomas Paul Poberezny was an American aerobatic world champion aviator, as well as chairman of the annual Experimental Aircraft Association Fly-In and Convention from 1977 to 2011 and president of EAA from 1989 to 2010, presiding over a time period of expansive growth for the organization and convention.
Tom Poberezny succeeded his father, Paul Poberezny, who founded them in 1953.
Tom Poberezny was a member of the Eagles Aerobatic Team, which was formed in 1971 and flew for more than 25 years, setting the record for the longest-running aerobatic team with the same members.
Tom Poberezny led the effort to build what is known as the EAA Aviation Museum, opened in 1983, and is a co-founder of the Young Eagles, an EAA program created in 1992 to give children the opportunity to experience flight and learn about general aviation, flying more than two million young people since its creation and making it the most successful program of its kind in history.
From his involvement in the EAA, Tom Poberezny is often credited with having led the introduction of the light-sport aircraft category in 2004.
Tom Poberezny was born and raised in the greater Milwaukee metropolitan area of Wisconsin, the son of Audrey and Paul Poberezny.
Tom Poberezny was surrounded by aviation from the very early stages of his life.
Tom Poberezny joined the US National Unlimited Aerobatic Team and was part of the team that won the World Championship in 1972 at Salon, France.
Tom Poberezny appeared as himself in the 1980 movie Cloud Dancer, for which he was the chief pilot and technical advisor.
Tom Poberezny was appointed to chairman of the EAA Convention and Fly-In in 1977.
Much of the convention's subsequent growth occurred under the leadership of Tom Poberezny, bringing it from a national gathering of homebuilt and small plane enthusiasts to an international event that embraced every aspect of aviation, with a nearly $200 million economic impact on the surrounding area by 2017.
In 1989, Tom Poberezny was elected president of the Experimental Aircraft Association.
Tom Poberezny was a member of the Centennial of Flight Commission, a six-person board created by Congress in 1999 to coordinate the nation's celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers' 1903 historic first flight.
Tom Poberezny was president of the EAA Aviation Foundation, an educational outreach project, and was a founding member of the US Aerobatic Foundation.
Tom Poberezny heavily promoted the EAA's role in the light-sport aircraft category, bringing new opportunities for people to learn to fly or keep flying.
In March 2009, Paul Poberezny stepped down as chairman of EAA and Tom Poberezny took on these duties as well, with Rod Hightower as president and CEO from September 7,2010.
Tom Poberezny retained the positions of chairman of both EAA and AirVenture.
Tom Poberezny issued a press announcement saying that he would assume all leadership duties of the organization until suitable replacements could be named.
Tom Poberezny served on the boards of several aviation organizations, including the Board of Directors for Garmin International and the Advisory Boards of Aircraft Kit Industry Association, Cirrus Aircraft, Citation Jet Pilots Association, and Angel Flight West.
Tom Poberezny died following a brief illness on July 25,2022, the opening day of AirVenture, and is survived by his wife Sharon and daughter Lesley.
Tom Poberezny was inducted into the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame in October 1996.
Tom Poberezny was awarded the Distinguished Wisconsin Aviator Award in May 2007.
In early 2013, Tom Poberezny received the prestigious Living Legend of Aviation award at a ceremony in Beverly Hills, California.
Tom Poberezny was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame on October 1,2016 in Dayton, Ohio, making him and Paul Poberezny the first father and son duo to be honored by the Hall.
Tom Poberezny was a lifelong ambassador for the general aviation community.
Tom Poberezny had a devout passion for the next generation of aviators and his passing, on the opening day of AirVenture 2022, reminds us all why we come together annually with [a] common purpose to share our love for all things aerospace.