John FitzGerald

Growing up as an Air Force brat for the first 13 years of his life, John always wanted to learn to fly as long as he can remember. In 1988, he set out to get his private pilot certificate and with the help and sacrifice from his family and wife of 45 years, he achieved his dream. He enjoyed flying for many years but had to stop due to his career. After some time, his father, retired from the Air Force, invited him to a pancake breakfast at their local EAA Chapter 613 and the rest is history. He began flying again and met so many incredible people and pilots. He found the EAA community was not only fun but had so much to offer.

He is the president of Chapter 613 located in Swanton, Vermont, where he is serving his fourth term. He also enjoys flying Young Eagles and is the chapter’s Eagle flight leader. He is always open to new ideas and loves to share his passion for aviation.

He continues to promote all EAA programs which resulted in the chapter earning Gold status in 2019. He continues to support Chapter 613’s great scholarship program and other youth aviation programs.

He served in the Vermont Army National Guard, chaired the Vermont Epilepsy Foundation, and currently is serving on his local municipal water board, where they are installing a new town water distribution system. For the last 35 years of his 40-year career he has enjoyed being a sales manager selling Chevrolets. He is a principal of Fly Vermont, the local flying club, where he enjoys flying their Cessna 150s, 172, Piper Arrow, and Cherokee 140.

He is committed to the growth of EAA chapters and programs that bring joy and success to all ages in aviation. He will continue to support current programs and help to find and build new and exciting programs for all.