The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum in Hawaii has hired John P. Hiltz as its inaugural Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
His appointment follows a successful year of interim leadership by Janeen Woellhof, according to museum officials.
John’s fascination with flight began in childhood during visits to aviation museums with his father and brothers, including the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, and the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida. He knew early on that he wanted to become a naval aviator.
John graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and earned his Wings of Gold in 2005.
He deployed three times while flying the F/A-18 Super Hornet, twice aboard USS John C. Stennis and once aboard USS Harry S. Truman, supporting Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Inherent Resolve.
He was a pilot for the Blue Angels from 2012 to 2014 as the Right Wing pilot (#2) in more than 135 airshows across North America.
Among the museum’s collection is an F/A-18 Hornet that John piloted many times during multiple Blue Angels performances, officials noted.
He also served as an instructor pilot, officer-in-charge of multinational exercises, and the commanding officer for Navy recruiting in the Pacific Northwest. He concluded his Navy career as the executive officer for Cruise Missile Support Activity Pacific, supporting advanced missile capabilities and international partnerships.
For more information: PearlHarborAviationMuseum.org
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