The First Flight Society has announced its Board of Directors for 2025. Paul Wright Jameson was elected as president, succeeding Mike Fonseca. Jameson is a great-great-nephew of aviation pioneers Wilbur and Orville Wright.
The Executive Committee for 2025 includes:
- Vice President: K. Lynn Tadlock
- Education Committee Chair: Judith Fearing
- Event Committee Chair: Paul Carr
- Finance Committee Chair: Erica Paynter
- Governance Committee Chair: Mark Flynn
- Marketing/Membership Chair: K. Lynn Tadlock
- National Advisory Committee Chair: William Douglas
- Immediate Past President: Mike Fonseca
The full board also includes Sara Lou Copeland, M. Roy Daniels III, Dr. Charles Davidson, Orestes Gooden, Penny Leary-Smith, and Mark Russell. Three new members join the board this year:
- Steve House, Vice Chairman of the Dare County Board of Commissioners
- Paul O’Neal, Chairman of the Currituck County Board of Commissioners
- Debbie Ferrell Moore, former manager of Tanger Outlet Mall
The Society expresses gratitude to departing board members Danny Couch, Mike Smith, and Will Nelson for their service.
Celebrations and Achievements
The First Flight Society continues its annual traditions, including:
- Wright Brothers Day: Held on December 17 at the Wright Brothers National Memorial to honor their historic 1903 flight in Kitty Hawk, NC.
- Wilbur Wright’s Birthday: Celebrated on April 16.
- National Aviation Day: Observed on August 19, coinciding with Orville Wright’s birthday.
In addition, the Society established the Paul E. Garber Shrine in 1966 to recognize individuals and groups achieving significant milestones in aviation history. Past honorees include Charles Lindbergh, Chuck Yeager, Mary Feik, John Glenn, Katherine Johnson, and Charles McGee. The 2025 inductee will be announced on April 16.
Honoring the Wright Brothers’ Legacy
The Society’s roots trace back to the Kill Devil Hills Memorial Association, formed by local businessmen who successfully petitioned Congress to fund and construct a monument commemorating the Wright Brothers’ 1903 achievement. Renamed the First Flight Society, it has been instrumental in preserving and promoting this legacy. In 2025, the Society celebrates its 98th year with a continued mission to tell the Wright Brothers’ story through education, community events, and commemorations. Its vision is to inspire people worldwide with the determination and ingenuity exemplified by these aviation pioneers. For more information, visit the following links:
www.firstflight.org www.wilburwrightday.org www.nationalaviationday.org www.wrightbrothersday.org
