Mr Cleverley has been a trustee since the trust's inception in 2006.
Former Wanaka Community Board chairman Bill Gordon, now living in Omarama, remains the deputy chairman.
He did not seek the chairmanship and supports Mr Cleverley's appointment.
Mr Cleverley is a professional director and business consultant and a director of the New Zealand Chambers of Commerce.
He lived in Wanaka for a time, owns a houseboat and was a former partner in the Dough Bin bakery.
Mr Cleverley said in a media release yesterday the 2010 airshow was shaping up well.
"We are expecting record numbers with the superb line-up of aircraft and exhibits in the offing," he said.
Event manager Mandy Deans said yesterday about 90% of the air programme had been confirmed, and an "exciting" new exhibit from overseas was nearly signed off.
However, details could not be released until all arrangements were secure.
Mrs Deans expected to be able to start "drip-feeding" information out to the community from next month.
Mrs Deans also said ticket sales were ahead of expectations for this time of the year.
Next year's airshow will include a regional wine and food festival.
The Royal New Zealand Air Force has also confirmed its attendance along with its aerobatic team, the Red Checkers.
Also on the 2010 programme is a Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk, which will be firing all six machine guns in an historic re-enactment of attacks on shipping and airfields in the Solomon Islands.
Mrs Deans also visited the Avalon 2009 airshow in Australia earlier this year and has been encouraging exhibitors at that event, as well as the Royal Australian Air Force, to consider coming to Wanaka.
The Warbirds Over Wanaka Community Trust was formed in 2006 to continue the work of airshow founder and patron Sir Tim Wallis (70), whose Alpine Deer Group of companies was heavily involved in organising earlier shows.
