2025 EAA Chapter Volunteer Awards

August 2025 — Congratulations to the following EAA chapter members who were recognized with volunteer awards at EAA AirVenture 2025! These members were nominated by their chapters because of their outstanding efforts to better their chapters, EAA, and the general aviation community. Chapter volunteer awards were presented at the Chapter Leaders Breakfast held in the EAA Aviation Museum Founders’ Wing on Saturday, July 26, 2025.

Major Achievement Awards

Robert Baird — EAA Chapters 23, 58, 753, 1519, IAC 139 — Utah

Robert “Bob” Baird is a true force for good in Utah’s aviation community. His contributions are too numerous to list in full, but his decades-long dedication to promoting aviation and EAA — both within Utah and beyond — is nothing short of extraordinary.

Bob is perhaps best known for his remarkable ability to unify EAA chapters across the state of Utah. He regularly attends meetings for multiple chapters, a feat that is impressive in itself. His constant presence brings a sense of continuity and comfort, especially for new members who are always greeted by his familiar, welcoming face at events.

One of Bob’s most impactful initiatives is the creation and distribution of the "Evanga-List", a newsletter that consolidates news and activities from several EAA chapters. This invaluable resource helps members across the region stay informed and connected.

Bob has numerous certifications and holds both an MBA degree and an A&P certificate. He is a lifetime member of EAA, the Vintage Aircraft Association, and the Commemorative Air Force, and a member of numerous other aviation associations including AOPA, the International Aerobatic Club, and many more. He is the president of EAA Chapter 1519 and a member of several other chapters in Utah. He serves as the EAA representative to the Utah Department of Transportation’s Aviation Coalition. Bob is also the vice president of the International Comanche Society and chairman of the Homebuilt Patrol at AirVenture.

Bob’s tireless commitment to aviation education, safety, and community makes him a truly deserving candidate for this award. His leadership, passion, and generosity continue to inspire everyone around him.

Congratulations, Bob!

Kent Johnson — EAA Chapter 410 — Geneseo, Illinois

Kent has been serving as president of Chapter 410 since 2022. Since becoming president, he has reinvigorated the chapter and enabled it to grow at an incredible pace. Membership has more than doubled during his tenure, and the chapter attained EAA’s Gold chapter recognition status in 2024.

Under Kent’s leadership, Chapter 410 launched a variety of new activities for the chapter and its members. These include:

• Monthly “Wingin’ It” breakfasts.
• Social time and dinner prior to each month’s chapter gathering.
• Hangar/garage visits hosted by chapter members who are currently building airplanes.
• Tours of local aviation-related facilities such as airport control towers, medical helicopter companies, and aerial spraying operations.
• Secured funding to purchase a Redbird Flight simulator that is available for use by chapter members.
• Worked with several chapter members who are CFIs to offer a private pilot ground school that is free to chapter members.
• Worked with a local high school aviation club.
• Acquired a local Air Mail airway beacon tower from the 1920s for the chapter through a donation. The chapter disassembled the tower and is working on plans, funding, and approvals to restore the tower and create an airway beacon display.

Kent has encouraged chapter members to attend the EAA Chapter Leadership Academy in Oshkosh. Over the past three years, at least seven chapter members have attended the leadership course.

EAA Chapter 410 is highly involved in the EAA Young Eagles and Flying Start programs and Kent has more than 110 flights as a volunteer pilot. Kent actively works on ways to get young people excited about aviation. Aside from Young Eagles, the chapter also participates in the EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship. Kent has served on Chapter 410’s scholarship committee since its inception and helped spearhead these scholarship efforts. In 2025, the chapter announced its third Ray Scholarship recipient.

Outside of his chapter, Kent is heavily involved in aviation. He is a CFII and helps manage Gen-Air Park (3G8), a private airport that won Illinois Private Airport of the year in 2023. Kent flies a Piper Cub.

Before he retired, Kent worked as an air traffic controller. One of his fondest memories was serving as an air traffic controller during AirVenture from 1989 to 1993.

For these reasons, we are happy to present a chapter major achievement award to Kent Johnson. Congratulations, Kent!

Steve Pankonin — EAA Chapter 319 — Medford, Oregon

Steve obtained his aircraft mechanic certificate in 1967. He began working toward his pilot license by soloing in 1963 and received his private pilot license in 1970.

Steve is a recipient of both the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award and the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award from the FAA. He is one of only 400 airmen to receive both awards.

Steve joined the EAA Chapter 319 in 1971 and held the positions of president, vice president, and secretary several times. He is currently the vice president of the chapter. During his tenure with Chapter 319, he helped the chapter reassemble a surplus hangar, with the help of the Civil Air Patrol, that was relocated from Mather Air Force Base in California for the Medford Civil Air Patrol Squadron located at the Rogue Valley International Airport (KMFR) in Oregon in the early 1980s. The chapter built classrooms, offices, and meeting areas with a kitchen and bathrooms. They also provided furnishings of chairs and tables.

Steve started his business, Steve’s Aircraft, in 1972 at the Beagle Sky Ranch airport (OR96). He was a true-shade tree mechanic working out of his van; until about 1982, when he made a deal with a hangar owner to maintain his airplane for use of his hangar. Steve built his own hangar in the fall of 1986. 

In 1983, Steve obtained his commercial pilot certificate, with a 2nd class SODA, and flew to Alaska to spot herring in the Togiak fishery that year.

Steve has successfully restored more than 100 fabric-covered airplanes. He has converted 26 Piper Tri-Pacers to tailwheel Pacers and holds Supplemental Type Certificates for gascolators, applicable to an Approved Model List of 440 airplane models. Among his notable contributions are STCs for booster brakes on Cubs, skylights on Piper Pacers and short wings, and 180-hp engines with constant speed propellers on PA-22s. Additionally, Steve has developed an STC for an oil cooler system compatible with C-85 through O-300 Continental engines. FAA records indicate that Steve Pankonin has submitted 667 copies of major repairs/alterations under Form 337 and has conducted more than 3,300 annual inspections, and is still actively engaged, with his son Brian, in aircraft maintenance at Steve's Aircraft.  

Steve has logged 4,223 tach hours in his logbook — this does not include time he flew other aircraft for maintenance flights.

For these reasons, we are happy to present a chapter major achievement award to Steve Pankonin. Congratulations, Steve!

Robert Whitlock — EAA Chapter 191 — Corpus Christi, Texas

Rob has dedicated his entire life to aviation and has shared his vast experiences through EAA. He served in the United States Army and is a Vietnam War veteran with 20 air combat medals, including the Cross of Gallantry from the South Vietnamese military. In his military career, he also served as a flight instructor and in aircraft maintenance and air traffic control roles.

As a civilian, Rob has been a Cessna mechanic and test pilot and a Beechcraft aerospace mechanic and maintenance control supervisor. He was a flight school owner/instructor for 26 years and a designated maintenance examiner for 16 years. Rob worked as a corporate pilot, and he holds numerous certificates and ratings as a pilot and mechanic, including CFI, CFII, MEI, A&P, and IA.

Rob was an early member of EAA Chapter 191 and served in every chapter position as an officer.

He has been an active homebuilder, and has built a Fisher Classic. He also provides building and technical assistance for members of EAA and his chapter, assisting with numerous aircraft models from Van’s RVs to Zeniths and much more.

For these reasons, we are happy to present a chapter major achievement award to Robert Whitlock, who just attended his 20th AirVenture. Congratulations, Rob!

Newsletter Editor Awards

Rob Biro — EAA Chapter 5 — Middlefield, Ohio

Rob has created both a web and printed version of the monthly Chapter 5 newsletter. The content reports on past chapter events, future scheduled events, first flights, chapter historical events, airport news, and important members news. Just as important as the content are the creative graphics that are unique to each edition. It gives the content "life" as the graphics spark the readers’ attention and draw them into the article. His attention-grabbing art promotes better readership and thus better member participation in Chapter 5 events.

Congratulations, Rob!

John Butterfield — EAA Chapter 613 — Swanton, Vermont

For more than 30 years, John has been an integral part of his chapter, serving in multiple leadership roles — including chapter president, technical counselor, director, facility manager, and newsletter editor. His unwavering commitment and enduring leadership continue to shape his chapter in invaluable ways.

Fifteen years ago, Chapter 613 recognized the need for change. Following several boot camps, it became clear that effective communication was at the heart of their transformation. Once again, John stepped forward to take on a critical role. He volunteered to lead the newsletter, evolving it from a simple typed-out version to a professional, graphic-designed platform. Through this transformation, he enabled seamless contribution of articles and ensured that his chapter’s news and events could be shared broadly.

Month after month, year after year, John remains remarkably consistent — never missing a single issue, ensuring chapter members stay informed and connected. His dedication to planning, organizing, and delivering his chapter’s newsletters bridges the gap for those unable to attend meetings, keeping his chapter’s spirit alive.

Congratulations, John!

Watch John’s acceptance message for this award.

Sandra Carmer — EAA Chapter 77 — Flushing, Michigan

When Sandie took over as newsletter editor, it was just a one to two page document that got sent out. She has turned it into a 20- to 30-plus-page magazine and puts countless hours into finding topics from the internet to include, chasing people down to get pictures and stories, and has really done an amazing job on it.

Sandie is also her chapter’s Young Eagles coordinator and for a while was secretary, and she also is a huge part of the planning for her chapter’s annual dawn patrol where the chapter serves up to 1,500 breakfasts.

Congratulations, Sandie!

Denny Irvine — EAA Chapter 302 — Conroe, Texas

The Chapter 302 monthly newsletters that Denny Irvine has edited for years have been a foundational element of his chapter’s success. The regular newsletter helps members feel connected and valued. It is also an important history of the chapter's effort to engage, inform, and retain its membership. Members who can't attend the meetings can still feel connected, read about various accomplishments and contributions of chapter members, and learn about happenings. It is the go-to place for reminders about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and organizational news. Visitors and new members can get a snapshot of what the chapter does by seeing the newsletter. The chapter leadership appreciates the work Denny commits to this volunteer endeavor each and every month. They joke with him that “nobody ever reads the newsletter,” but their web services says that is fake news.

Congratulations, Denny!

Web Editor Awards

Dion Davidson — EAA Chapter 23 — Salt Lake City, Utah

Over the past year, Dion has significantly enhanced the EAA Chapter 23 website, transforming it from a standard template into a dynamic and personalized representation of his chapter. Instead of relying on stock EAA content and imagery, Dion customized the site to reflect the unique character of his group and its members.

One of his standout contributions is the creation of a dedicated "Chapter Members Flying Aircraft" gallery. Unlike typical EAA chapter websites, each aircraft in the gallery is clickable, linking to an individual page tailored to the owner’s aircraft. These pages feature personalized content including videos, photos, and descriptive text that showcase each member’s aviation journey.

Dion also introduced dynamic content to the homepage in the form of live tiles that link to relevant external sources — such as Facebook posts by chapter members and local news articles featuring Chapter 23. These updates make the site more interactive and timely, reflecting the ongoing activity and engagement of the chapter’s members.

He added a new section for chapter activities, which functions like a blog, providing a running record of recent events, projects, and milestones. This makes it easy for both members and visitors to stay up to date on what the chapter has been doing.

To support aspiring aviators in the local community, Chapter 23 created a page listing local aviation schools throughout Utah. This resource offers helpful information to prospective students and strengthens ties between Chapter 23 and regional flight training programs.

Finally, Dion developed a section of the website to promote the Utah aviation license plate initiative, which EAA Chapter 23 is proudly sponsoring. This page helps raise awareness and support for a project that benefits the broader aviation community across the state.

Dion’s work has not only modernized his chapter’s digital presence but also deepened the sense of connection among its members.

Congratulations, Dion!

Matthew Everett — EAA Chapter 17 — Knoxville, Tennessee

Matt is still in the workforce and is raising a family. He is a private pilot, rents aircraft to fly Young Eagles, is his chapter’s vice president, and is a talented IT guy who is always there to help with anything in his chapter. He also designed his chapter’s website and keeps it up to date.

Congratulations, Matthew!

Learn more about these awards at EAA.org/ChapterAwards. If you know a dedicated volunteer at your chapter who is deserving of one of these awards, then consider nominating them next year!