Board
President: Doug Pralle
Flying Farmer Aerial Application
Doug Pralle and his wife, Robyn, live outside of Hampton, Iowa. In 2016, Doug launched Flying Farmer Aerial Application, a business that provides aerial application services using two airplanes and a helicopter. With a strong background in both farming and aviation, Doug found starting the business to be a natural fit. In addition to their aviation work, Doug and Robyn are involved in Compassion Flights, a charity dedicated to transporting people to medical appointments and treatments. When not in the air, Doug is active in farming with his family and enjoys traveling with Robyn.
Past President: Weston Sharp
Agri-Tech Aviation, Inc. – Indianola, Iowa
Wes is a part of the third-generation family business, operating it with his brother Jay. He has been part of the family business since 1997 and started managing it in 2009. He also joined the IAAA boards in 2009 and has served as the Secretary/Treasurer, Vice President and President. Wes and his wife Betsy have two children who are currently in middle school. Betsy has been a major part of the family business and has also served on the IAAA boards. Wes enjoys hunting, boating on Rathbun Lake and checking out breweries with his wife in their downtime.
Vice President: Amanda Timmer
Midwest Custom Ag Aviation, Inc.
Secretary & Treasure: Cliff Baker
Air Advantage, Inc.
Executive Director: Quentin Childs
Insurance Management Group
IAAA National Director – NAAA: Tony Meyer
Steier Ag Aviation
IAAA National Director – WNAA: Laura Meyer
Steier Ag Aviation
Tony and Laura own and operate Steier Ag in Whittemore, Iowa. The company was started by Tony’s grandfather, Elmer Steier, in 1954. Tony’s father, Dennis Meyer, took over in 1996. Tony and his brother Chad took over in 2017. In 2019, they acquired Tom Eischen Seed Sales. Tony grew up flagging and loading airplanes. Tony started flying in 2,000 and has logged over 3,000 hours Ag time. Laura started helping out with mapping in college and has evolved into accounting duties since. Steier Ag has grown to a full service chemical, seed, fertilizer, ground and aerial application business. Other ratings that Tony holds include Commercial, Instrument, and single engine land. Tony and Laura have three kids: Aubrey, Gage, and Colin. Tony’s most memorable aviation experience is the day he soloed on his 16th birthday. Tony and Laura are most proud of their kids and carrying on as third-generation owners of Steier Ag.
IAAA Allied Representative: Jon Buseman
Syngenta Crop Protection
At-Large Member: Blake Welge
WF Ag Services
Blake Welge lives in State Center, Iowa, with his wife and two kids. Born in Iowa, but followed a fourteen-year agriculture technology career around the Midwest before becoming a crop-duster. Blake comes from a family of pilots with six extended family members along with his older brother being commercial pilots. All of his family took the traditional route of going corporate or airlines, but Blake’s background and passion for agriculture pulled him into the world of stick and rudder flying. Blake is working on his third season as a pilot for hire and has been blessed to fly turbine Air Tractors for all those seasons. His goal being on the IAAA board is to help further the industry he loves and bring more pilots for hire into the organization that is fighting for them.
At-Large Member: Steve Luedtke
Storm Spraying Service, Inc.
Steve and his brother Mike own and operate Storm Spraying Service in Webster City, Iowa. They have operated their business since 2013. Steve has been flying since 2003 and flying an Ag airplane since 2009. He has accumulated 4000 hrs of Ag time and 9000 hours of total flying time. Steve is a Certified Flight Instructor with instrument and multi-engine ratings. He has experience with charter and corporate flying, including serving as the Chief Pilot for Charter operations. Steve and his company have also been the airport managers at the Webster City Municipal Airport since 2013. He has been married to Jill since 2014 and has two daughters.
