One Frequently-Mentioned Name Is James Hagedorn, CEO Of Scotts Miracle-Gro

It appears the field is narrowing in the search for the next president and CEO of AOPA, and one name seems to be rising to the top of the association's short list. ANN has received several messages today (Monday) saying that James Hagedorn may have been selected as the new head of AOPA to succeed Craig Fuller.

AOPA spokesperson Katie Pribyl would neither confirm or deny Hagedon's selection. She told ANN that the organization has no comment on the rumor, but that the field has been narrowed to a small number of candidates. She said no final selection has been reached, and no contract has been offered.

Hagedorn is an alumnus of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. In a bio posted on the ERAU website for "Notable Alumni," the school notes that Hagedorn was named president and COO of Scott's Miracle-Gro in April, 2000. Three years later, he was named chairman of the board and CEO. Wikipedia reports that the Scotts board told Hagedorn he had to stop flying small airplanes before he took the role of CEO for insurance reasons, a recommendation that he chose to ignore.

ERAU says that Hagedorn served in the U.S. Air Force for seven years as an F-16 pilot where he attained the rank of Captain.

The James Hagedorn Aviation Complex at ERAU's Daytona Beach, FL campus is named for its alum, who is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program and holds an ERAU degree in Aeronautical Science. The first phase of the complex was opened in September, 2011. In a news release posted at the time, the school noted that Hagedorn and his wife Karli are major donors to the Aviation Complex. Hagedorn flies about 1,000 hours a year in his personal jet, and both of his sons are pilots. “Embry-Riddle is where I became a pilot and an adult, where I became myself,” he said. “This new Aviation Complex is a temple to those of us who aviate. I truly love this school.”

We'll have more on this story as it develops.

FMI: http://daytonabeach.erau.edu/coa/flight-department/facilities/hagedorn-aviation-complex.html