2025-2026 PAASS - SEAF

Eric Klindt grew up on the family farm in Minnesota and when the farm was sold, he worked for other farmers in the area. Eric attended the University of Minnesota at Crookston where he received his commercial pilot’s license and aerial applicator training. He received his start in aerial spraying from David Yaggie where he started spraying in 1997 and has loved it ever since. Eric was previously employed by Wilbur-Ellis in Wahpeton, ND, where he flew an Air Tractor 802.

 
Eric stays busy in the aerial application off season with several jobs. He owns and operates a limo bus service and drives a truck in the winter for local farmers. He is currently a member of the Wilkin County Sheriff Posse.
 
Eric is married to his childhood sweetheart, Shana, and they have two young children, Elise and Cody. Eric and Shana are members of the NAAA and the Minnesota AAA where they are the state representatives to the NAAA and WNAAA. Eric served on the NAAA board from 2002 until 2010 and served as Chairman of the Membership Committee. He attended the Syngenta Leadership Training Group in 2002 where he realized how much is done by the NAAA and vowed to assist wherever he is able.

Matt Hovdenes became interested in aviation early in his life. His father, while not a pilot himself, was very interested in aviation and passed that interest on to Matt. Some of Matt’s early aviation memories come from going to the Air National Guard base in Fargo, North Dakota where his dad worked and watching F-4’s being launched and recovered.
 
After graduating high school from Detroit Lakes, MN Matt attended college at the University of Minnesota Crookston. Loading for an aerial applicator in the summer and playing football made college life busy but not too busy to fly! At college Matt earned his private and commercial pilot certificates along with instrument and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) ratings. Matt Graduated College in December of 2000 with Bachelor of Science degrees in both Agricultural Aviation, and Plant Industries Management (agronomy). Since college he has earned his multi-engine rating and added an instrument rating to his CFI Certificate.
 
After College Matt worked as a full time flight instructor at a small FBO for slightly less than a year. In 2002, after years of hard work, Matt finally started flying ag.  He has flown many different types of aircraft in this industry and now flies an AT-400 for his own company Right Way Ag.  of Harwood, ND.
 
Matt was married in December of 2002 to his wife Hilary. They have twins Emma and Anders who were born in 2008. In the off season Matt enjoys camping and traveling with his family and friends. He also tries to fit in as much hunting and ice fishing as time allows. Matt is always trying to find a way to fly by giving occasional instructional flights and flying as a contract pilot in the winter.
 
Matt has been active in the NDAAA serving as the president from 2010-2012 and is currently serving as the North Dakota representative to the NAAA Board. He has hosted Cub Scout groups and given many people and children in the area their first airplane ride. In 2005, Matt was awarded the John Robert Horne Memorial Award from the NAAA. After graduating from the Syngenta Leadership Training in 2006, he has seen the value of the NAAA and has been willing to help where he can. Matt looks forward to working with PAASS as he has witnessed and experienced the safety and professionalism that it promotes within our industry.