South Dakota Aerial Applicator Perry Hofer Elected 2019 NAAA President
News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jay Calleja
Phone: (202) 546-5722
Email: jcalleja@agaviation.org
ALEXANDRIA, VA – FEBRUARY 28, 2019 – The National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) is pleased to announce Perry Hofer of Doland, S.D., has been elected its 2019 president.
Hofer owns and operates Doland Aerial Spraying in Doland, S.D., where he primarily treats soybeans, winter wheat and spring wheat. In addition, he and his family manage a 6,000-acre farm, where they grow corn, soybeans and a small amount of wheat. They also have a 260-head cow calf operation. Hofer started flying ag in the mid ’80s and established Doland Aerial Spraying in 1996. Perry and his third son, Mikel, both fly for Doland Aerial today.Hofer is a longtime member of NAAA and the South Dakota Aviation Association. He has served in numerous capacities on NAAA’s board, including as chairman of the research & technology committee in 2010, NAAA treasurer in 2011, NAAA vice president in 2014 and chairman of the safety & federal aviation regulations committee from 2013 to ’18. He also served as treasurer of NAAA’s sister organization, the National Agricultural Aviation Research and Education Foundation, in 2018.
Hofer has adopted a safety-focused agenda for his term as NAAA’s president. He is passionate about protecting low-level aviators from unmarked towers and has been actively involved in tower marking initiatives at the local, state and national level. He also is committed to speaking out about the importance of modern agriculture and agricultural aviation.
“The general population is becoming more and more removed from agriculture,” Hofer said. “More and more people are owning ag land that don’t farm it, so they don’t quite understand the importance of modern agricultural production, which includes using aircraft to disburse needed agri-chemicals. As such, it is going to be huge to continue to educate the public about the importance of our industry.”
Serving alongside Hofer on NAAA’s 2019 officer team are Vice President Darrin Pluhar, owner of Plu’s Flying Service in Ekalaka, Mont., Secretary Jane Barber-Pitlick, co-owner of Star-Flex in Onida, S.D., and Treasurer Bradley Reed, owner of Reed Aviation Inc. in Iota, La.
Serving alongside Hofer on NAAA’s 2019 officer team are Vice President Darrin Pluhar, owner of Plu’s Flying Service in Ekalaka, Mont., Secretary Jane Barber-Pitlick, co-owner of Star-Flex in Onida, S.D., and Treasurer Bradley Reed, owner of Reed Aviation Inc. in Iota, La.
The National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) represents more than 1,900 members in 46 states. NAAA supports the interests of small business owners and pilots licensed as professional commercial aerial applicators that use aircraft to enhance food, fiber and biofuel production, protect forestry and control health-threatening pests.