Born and raised in southwest Missouri, Sam was next to the youngest of six kids - four brothers and a sister.  He joined the Air Force after graduating high school 1976.  While serving four years as an avionics components specialist, Sam enjoyed being stationed in Colorado, Idaho and Germany and working on F-111 Aardvark and F-15 Eagle fighter jets.  Sam earned his private pilot license at U76 during his stint at Mt. Home AFB. 

In 1981, Sam graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the University of Missouri.  He is a licensed professional engineer and maintains a consulting business providing primarily residential and commercial site development engineering services.

Sam’s desire to fly and escape the big city life pushed him to pursue an agricultural aviation career in 1992.  Attending Ag Flight provided some basic agricultural pilot training, at least enough to get insurance for the first season of flying for an “optimistic” operator.  The following flying season Styron, with his vast experience of 300 hours ag flying, became an operator in a farming area just south of Kansas City.

Sam operates as 1Lowflyer, Inc. using an AT602, AT402 and Cessna AGtruck to treat wheat, corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and pasture, as well as, spreading fertilizer and cover crops in Missouri, Kansas and Iowa.  Sam has become the “optimistic” operator and is breaking in a new pilot to help treat the increasing number of customer acres.

Sam and Pattie, his wife of 30-some years, have three grown children.

Dominique Youakim of Charleston, Ill., is the owner and operator of Aerinova Aerial LLC, an aerial application business located in Mattoon, Ill. He also owns a helicopter tour business in St. Louis and Branson, Mo., and is an authorized Robinson helicopter dealer. He has two children, a son and daughter, Aiden and Aubrey.
 
Before finding his niche as an aerial applicator, Dominique worked in corporate America as a vice president of operations for a manufacturing plant. He worked for the manufacturer from 1995 to 2005. During that same period, he earned his commercial pilot certificate. Ready for a less travel-intensive career, Dominique gave up his corporate job for the opportunity to become an agricultural pilot in 2005. His mentor, Rick Reed of Reed’s Fly-on Farming, hired him as a full-time pilot that year. In 2013, Dominique purchased Reed’s Mattoon-based operation, which now operates under the name Aerinova Aerial LLC.
 
In 2006, Dominique completed the NAAA/Syngenta Leadership Training Program, which develops new leaders and advocates for the agricultural aviation industry. He served as secretary/treasurer of the Illinois Agricultural Aviation Association in 2007–2008. He joined NAAA’s board of directors as the Illinois AAA’s state representative in 2009. From 2012 to 2016, Dominique chaired NAAA’s bylaws committee. In 2016, he served as the association’s vice president and was elected president for 2017.

Perry Hofer started flying in 1980 and received his commercial license in 1985. After flying for Martin Beving, he started Doland Aerial Spraying in 1998 in Doland, SD, which he currently operates with his son, Mikel. Their operation utilizes 2 turbine Thrushes and one Weatherly.

Perry was elected 2023 NAAREF Board President, and has previously served as NAAA President in 2019.

He also operates a grain farm and cow/calf operation with his brother Kevin and two older sons Nik and Bryant. In the off-season, Perry enjoys overhauling antique Farmall tractors. He also spends as much time as he can going to baseball games with his youngest son, Matthew.

Darrin Pluhar grew up on a farming and ranching operation forty miles northwest of Miles City, Montana.  At a very young age, he became actively involved in the day-to-day agricultural activities.  In addition, he was also exposed to aviation, specifically aerial application, as his father, Art, was a “crop duster” flying a Pawnee for a local operator.  Later, his older brother, Dennis, started his own aerial application business, where Darrin got his first exposure to the business as a flagger, loader and ground crew.
 
After high school, Darrin went to Montana State University to become an engineer.  But after one year, he realized this career choice just wasn’t that attractive anymore and decided to pursue agricultural aviation (after admittedly realizing that he had failed to see the forest for the trees!).  In 1989, Darrin received an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Agricultural Aviation from the University of Minnesota – Crookston.  In 1995, Darrin received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautical Science from Rocky Mountain College in Billings, MT.
 
Darrin purchased his first Ag airplane, a 1979 Cessna Ag. Husky, and began flying for his brother Dennis. In 1996, Darrin purchased an aerial application business in Ekalaka and established Plu’s Flying Service. Since the main season is April 1st to July 10th in Montana, relationships with other operators around the nation have allowed Darrin’s company to continue to generate revenue by flying in other regions during the late Summer and early Fall. As the business has grown, so has the fleet of aircraft.  In 2002, a 1995 Weatherly was purchased to meet the increasing workload and then in 2007, he invested in a 400-gallon capacity, turbine-powered Air Tractor.
 
Darrin has been actively involved with the Association of Montana Aerial Applicators (AMAA) for many years, serving on their Board since 2000 and as president from 2010-2011.  Darrin was appointed as AMAA’s NAAA Board rep in 2013 and served as the 2016 NAAA Treasurer.
 
An advocate for training and safety, Darrin actively promotes and encourages aerial applicators to attend the PAASS program and helps conduct AMAA’s annual Operation S.A.F.E. pattern check.

Randy grew up in the Ag Aviation industry. His father R.W. Hale began Hale Dusting Service in 1955 near Corpus Christi, Texas. The company moved to its present location in 1962 when the local law enforcement officers decided to stop the “crop dusters” from using the county roads as landing strips. Randy began flying during high school and earned a private pilot license in 1977. It was either drive a tractor on the farm or mess with the airplanes and, well, the tractors just weren’t fast enough. He started his ag aviation career in 1981 in a 600 Thrush and now flies the company’s Air Tractor 502. Randy became President of the company in 1991 after his father’s death.

 
Randy is a long time member of the Texas AAA and NAAA and has been active in both. He served on the TAAA Board from 1994 - 2006 and was TAAA President in 1999. Service to the NAAA came when he was named the TAAA representative to NAAA and also graduated from the Leadership Training Program class of 2000. Randy was elected NAAA Vice President in 2003 and was honored to serve as President in 2006. Since his term as president ended Randy has represented NAAA’s interests in front of a variety of audiences including government regulators, ag aviation groups, politicians and international organizations. He served as NAAREF President in 2009 and 2010 and has been a PAASS presenter since 2008.
 
Randy and his wife Renee have four children, Josh, Joey, Amy and Scott and four grandchildren, Aiden, Weston, Jayce and Summer. They are the reason he is sold on the PAASS training. “We need to do all we can to make sure every ag pilot has the resources to stay safe and make it home at night.”

Brian and his wife Elly operate Medina Flying Service located in central North Dakota. They spray numerous crops including potatoes, wheat, sunflowers, soybeans and other minor use crops with a 500 gallon Thrush. They also spread cover crop for erosion control and assist with aerial fire suppression for their local fire department.

Brian has been involved in the aerial application business since 1979 and has been an NAAA member since 1985. He has held numerous offices in the NAAA including President in 2010. He has also served on the National Agricultural Aviation Research and Education Foundation (NAAREF) board of directors.

Brian is a commercial pilot with an instrument rating.  He is the North Dakota Liaison to the Recreational Aviation Foundation.

Brian is a Nationally Registered Paramedic and works with his local volunteer ambulance service and the Medina Fire Department. Brian farms with his 2 brothers and nephew in central North Dakota. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy from North Dakota State University.

Glenn first experienced ag aviation loading for a local operator while on summer college break in 1981. By 1985 he had his commercial license with ag endorsement and his first season was 1986 flying for a local operator. In 1991 he opened his own business applying crop protection products on cotton, rice, wheat, corn and milo. Since 1987, he has held positions in the Mississippi AAA including pilot member, district director, secretary, vice president, president and currently is the Mississippi representative to the NAAA. He currently serves NAAREF on the PAASS Program Development Committee and chairs the Operation SAFE Committee. He was the 2024 NAAA Vice-President and currently serves NAAA on the Government Relations, Membership, Museum and Safety & FAR Committees. He is a Syngenta leadership training graduate and also sits on the National Ag Aviation Museum Foundation Board. Glenn is a 1985 graduate of Delta State University in Cleveland, MS with a double major in chemistry and biology. Glenn and his wife Cymantha have 3 children and 5 grandchildren.

Darrin Pluhar grew up on a farming and ranching operation forty miles northwest of Miles City, Montana.  At a very young age, he became actively involved in the day-to-day agricultural activities.  In addition, he was also exposed to aviation, specifically aerial application, as his father, Art, was a “crop duster” flying a Pawnee for a local operator.  Later, his older brother, Dennis, started his own aerial application business, where Darrin got his first exposure to the business as a flagger, loader and ground crew.
 
After high school, Darrin went to Montana State University to become an engineer.  But after one year, he realized this career choice just wasn’t that attractive anymore and decided to pursue agricultural aviation (after admittedly realizing that he had failed to see the forest for the trees!).  In 1989, Darrin received an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Agricultural Aviation from the University of Minnesota – Crookston.  In 1995, Darrin received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautical Science from Rocky Mountain College in Billings, MT.
 
Darrin purchased his first Ag airplane, a 1979 Cessna Ag. Husky, and began flying for his brother Dennis. In 1996, Darrin purchased an aerial application business in Ekalaka and established Plu’s Flying Service. Since the main season is April 1st to July 10th in Montana, relationships with other operators around the nation have allowed Darrin’s company to continue to generate revenue by flying in other regions during the late Summer and early Fall. As the business has grown, so has the fleet of aircraft.  In 2002, a 1995 Weatherly was purchased to meet the increasing workload and then in 2007, he invested in a 400-gallon capacity, turbine-powered Air Tractor.
 
Darrin has been actively involved with the Association of Montana Aerial Applicators (AMAA) for many years, serving on their Board since 2000 and as president from 2010-2011.  Darrin was appointed as AMAA’s NAAA Board rep in 2013 and served as the 2016 NAAA Treasurer.
 
An advocate for training and safety, Darrin actively promotes and encourages aerial applicators to attend the PAASS program and helps conduct AMAA’s annual Operation S.A.F.E. pattern check.

Glenn first experienced ag aviation loading for a local operator while on summer college break in 1981. By 1985 he had his commercial license with ag endorsement and his first season was 1986 flying for a local operator. In 1991 he opened his own business applying crop protection products on cotton, rice, wheat, corn and milo. Since 1987, he has held positions in the Mississippi AAA including pilot member, district director, secretary, vice president, president and currently is the Mississippi representative to the NAAA. He currently serves NAAREF on the PAASS Program Development Committee and chairs the Operation SAFE Committee. He was the 2024 NAAA Vice-President and currently serves NAAA on the Government Relations, Membership, Museum and Safety & FAR Committees. He is a Syngenta leadership training graduate and also sits on the National Ag Aviation Museum Foundation Board. Glenn is a 1985 graduate of Delta State University in Cleveland, MS with a double major in chemistry and biology. Glenn and his wife Cymantha have 3 children and 5 grandchildren.

Brian is a second generation aerial applicator that grew up around fixed winged and rotary winged aircraft.  His dreams of flying over the corn in a helicopter began very young.  He was enamored from the beginning with helicopters.  He earned a fixed wing license immediately after high school graduation.  He graduated from Purdue University in Dec. of 1997 with a degree in Aviation Administration Technology but his dream was still to fly helicopters and at the suggestion of his dad, he joined the Army and became a Warrant Officer.   He enjoyed a 10 year Army Aviation career flying the AH64D Apache with 2 combat deployments.  

Upon completing his obligations to the military, he joined his father in 2010 for his first season in the Bell 206.  From there he moved into the turbine thrush, 602, and then the 802.  He purchased the helicopter and a truck and trailer rig from his father in 2018 and began On Target Applicators flying alongside him.  Since then he spends the majority of his application time in the helicopter.  In the fall months he's spent a lot of time applying cover crop with the 802. 

During the off season he handles the logistics of maintenance and spends time with his two kids Ella, Zackrey, and his dog.  He enjoys being out in nature.  Specifically, fishing and golfing occupy his free time.

Damon is a third-generation aerial applicator from Wisconsin who grew up on the family airport and farm. He was taught to fly by his grandfather Roy Reabe who started the family business in 1945. Damon left the family farm and business after high school and graduated from Mankato State University with a BS in Aviation and Marketing.  At the end of his colligate studies Damon launched a 15-year career as corporate pilot flying jet aircraft throughout the world.  As a corporate pilot, Damon worked his way from line pilot to being one of only three flight standards pilots of the largest corporate aircraft management company of the time. He was responsible for developing, implementing and ensuring compliance of company safety procedures.

Damon got his start as an aerial applicator in 1997 under the tutelage of his father, Tom Reabe, and began helping out as a part time pilot. In 2009, Damon resigned his position as a flight standards pilot and took his father’s place as President of Reabe Spraying Service, a Wisconsin aerial application company. Over the past twenty seasons Damon has been actively spraying in Piper Pawnees, AT-400’s, AT-502’s, S2R-660, Bell 206 and an AT-802. Damon served the Wisconsin Agricultural Aviation Association as President from 2010 until 2016 and currently serves on the NAAA Board of Directors as the Wisconsin representative. He is currently serving as chairman of the Government Relations Committee.

During the winter of 2016-2017, the family executed a succession plan allowing Tyler Reabe and Curt Meister to become part owners in Reabe Spraying Service and forming Dairyland Aviation which operates out of Waupun, WI. Damon is the President of both Dairyland Aviation and Reabe Spraying Service.

Damon is fortunate to have met and married his wife of 13 years, Mary Reabe, who does the book keeping for both companies. They are raising their two children, Caroline and Max in Ripon, WI. Damon says, “I have been very lucky to have a spouse that not only puts up with the demands of this job and industry, but supports participation in safety programs such as PAASS.”

Brian is a second generation aerial applicator that grew up around fixed winged and rotary winged aircraft.  His dreams of flying over the corn in a helicopter began very young.  He was enamored from the beginning with helicopters.  He earned a fixed wing license immediately after high school graduation.  He graduated from Purdue University in Dec. of 1997 with a degree in Aviation Administration Technology but his dream was still to fly helicopters and at the suggestion of his dad, he joined the Army and became a Warrant Officer.   He enjoyed a 10 year Army Aviation career flying the AH64D Apache with 2 combat deployments.  

Upon completing his obligations to the military, he joined his father in 2010 for his first season in the Bell 206.  From there he moved into the turbine thrush, 602, and then the 802.  He purchased the helicopter and a truck and trailer rig from his father in 2018 and began On Target Applicators flying alongside him.  Since then he spends the majority of his application time in the helicopter.  In the fall months he's spent a lot of time applying cover crop with the 802. 

During the off season he handles the logistics of maintenance and spends time with his two kids Ella, Zackrey, and his dog.  He enjoys being out in nature.  Specifically, fishing and golfing occupy his free time.