Former resident gains national ag aviation group’s recognition

    Steve Rice, former Chase County resident and CCS graduate, was recognized recently with a National Agriculture Aviation Association Award.
    Rice received the Richard “Dick” Reade Memorial Award in recognition of he and his company, North Star Aviation, and their outstanding contributions to the ag aviation industry.
    Richard Reade was one of the founding fathers of the NAAA and its first president. The award was given Dec. 8 in Knoxville, Tennessee at the 2022 Ag Aviation Expo and Convention.
    Rice has been with North Star Aviation for 18 years and in ownership since 2011.
    In giving the award, presenters noted, “Ag aviation could not survive without the work of mechanics and service providers like Steve and North Star Aviation.
    They continued, “The North Star team is always on call, even after-hours, weekends and holidays, to answer the needs of the industry with a positive attitude and willingness to help customers.
    “Strong relationships skills allow Steve to provide the best maintenance practices for his customers,” allowing his company to grow.
    Rice and his wife, Samantha, work together at North Star. They provide service to more than 100 ag aircraft over several states, including Imperial and Grant.
    In accepting the award, Rice said it “was a long road to get there,” noting he couldn’t have done it without this wife and a “great group of guys who work for them. We have the best customers.”
    Since 2011, Rice has also served as manager of the  Ulysses Airport.
    He graduated from Chase County Schools in 2002 and Westwood College of Aviation Technology in 2004 with an Associate Degree in Airframe and Powerplant Certification.
    He is the son of Richard and Laura Rice of rural Chase County.