The National Agricultural Aviation Association is pleased to announce its 2025 officer team, led by NAAA President Mike Rivenbark. Serving alongside Rivenbark are Vice President Matt Hovdenes, Secretary Tim Swanson and Treasurer Sue Stewart.
President Mike Rivenbark (North Carolina)
2025 NAAA President Mike Rivenbark is the operator of Moore’s Aerial Applicators in Clinton, North Carolina. With a dedication to agricultural aviation and a commitment to safety and innovation, Rivenbark is poised to bring valuable leadership to the organization.
Rivenbark's roots are firmly planted in Eastern North Carolina, where his family’s history stretches back to his maternal and paternal great-grandparents, all within 60 miles of Clinton, North Carolina. Before embarking on his aviation career, Rivenbark worked at a marina in Wilmington, North Carolina, and pursued an associate’s degree in marine technology, working shortly afterward as a captain’s first mate, boatswain and ran a 60-foot private sport fishing boat out of Morehead City, NC. His childhood dream of becoming a pilot resurfaced in 2007, and in seven short weeks, Rivenbark had completed his pilot’s license. In 2010, he began his agricultural aviation training at AG-Flight, an aviation school in Bainbridge, Georgia. Rivenbark became an ag pilot in 2012. He began working for Henry Moore at Moore’s Aerial Applicators in Clifton, NC. He started by mixing and loading Henry’s Air Tractor 402 and by July he was flying the operation’s Weatherly 620-B. The next year, Rivenbark found himself working for NAAA member Operator Rick Boardman.
In 2012, Rivenbark returned to work in North Carolina for Henry Moore, where he eventually purchased the business in 2016. Under Rivenbark’s leadership, the company operates within a 40-mile radius around Clinton and serves a diverse range of crops, including blueberries, corn, soybeans, and squash. In addition, he also obtained a 30-year lease with the Clinton Municipal Airport in Samson County in 2023. Moore’s Aerial Applicators has become a vital player in North Carolina’s agricultural industry, with Rivenbark's fleet including two Air Tractor XPs and a Weatherly aircraft. His first XP was the 4,000th aircraft manufactured by Air Tractor. As the business celebrates its 60th anniversary, Rivenbark reflects on how agriculture and aerial application have evolved over the years.
Rivenbark has an established history of giving back to the industry. In 2012, he took on the role of Executive Director for the North Carolina Agricultural Aviation Association (NCAAA), serving for eight years. His involvement with the NAAA started in 2015, when he became the NCAAA representative on the NAAA Board, serving until 2021. He chaired the Membership Committee for four years and was elected NAAA treasurer in 2020, where he oversaw the Budget and Finance Committee. His work with the NAAA is complemented by his significant involvement with the National Agricultural Aviation Research and Education Foundation (NAAREF) and Professional Aerial Applicator Support System (PAASS) program presenter. As a Certified-Professional Aerial Applicator Safety Steward (C-PAASS), Rivenbark has become a sought-after PAASS presenter, delivering life-saving curriculum to ag pilots nationwide. “I get a lot out of meeting people throughout the country and delivering PAASS and hope to continue presenting as long as I am physically and mentally able,” Rivenbark said.
A strong advocate for his community, Rivenbark is involved with the Kiwanis chapter in Clinton and is active in the First Methodist Church of Clinton. He believes in the importance of embracing change, stating, “Things change. To survive, one must embrace change. Whether it be a crop-dusting business or a big corporation, if you don’t embrace change you are obsolete.”
Serving the industry is in the Rivenbark family’s blood with wife Tiffany chairing the Support Committee and she has been an active member of many NAAA Support committees the past several years. They are proud parents to Anna Keith. Rivenbark's leadership and commitment to both the agricultural aviation industry and his local community are sure to guide the NAAA toward new achievements in 2025.
Vice President Matt Hovdenes (North Dakota)
Matt Hovdenes of Right Way Ag in Harwood, North Dakota is the 2025 NAAA Vice President. Hovdenes represented North Dakota on the NAAA Board for multiple years and is a board member of the National Agricultural Aviation Research and Education Foundation (NAAREF), having served as its president from 2021-2022. He has chaired NAAREF’s Program Development Committee that determines the PAASS program’s curriculum, and he also has chaired NAAA’s Safety and Federal Aviation Regulations Committee.
Hovdenes grew up fascinated by aviation, and his path to ag aviation took a pivotal turn during a college football recruitment visit when his coach introduced him to the University of Minnesota Crookston’s ag aviation program. After earning his degree in ag aviation in 2002, Hovdenes began his professional journey as a flight instructor before becoming a manager and pilot at Olson Air Service in Nebraska. His nearly two decades as a hired pilot laid the foundation for his future ventures. In 2019, Hovdenes founded Right Way Ag, initially operating a single airplane and growing to two Air Tractor 502s. His business focuses on specialty crops like potatoes, sugar beets, and staple crops like corn and soybeans.
In addition to serving as a board member for the NAAA and NAAREF, he has contributed to the development of safety programs such as the C-PAASS certification. Hovdenes emphasizes the importance of safety, education, and regulatory engagement in agricultural aviation. He advocates for programs like C-PAASS, which provides training to improve pilot safety and efficiency and is available in the NAAA’s online Education Center (https://www.agaviation.org/education). “With C-PAASS, I can sit in the comfort of my own home and take courses designed by ag pilots for ag pilots. That’s what really gets me excited about C-PAASS,” he says. He believes in the value of continuous learning and the role of associations like the NAAA in protecting and advancing the industry. With a focus on technology and innovation, Hovdenes envisions a future where safety and professionalism remain at the core of agricultural aviation.
Outside of his professional work, Hovdenes is a family man married to Hilary, and they have two active high school teenagers. He is also involved in his community, coaching varsity football. Hovdenes’ career is a testament to the impact of passion, dedication, and a commitment to safety and education in shaping the future of the industry.
Secretary Tim Swanson (Michigan)
Tim Swanson of SLF Air, LLC in Elsie, Michigan is the 2025 NAAA Secretary. Swanson has been involved in the Michigan Agricultural Aviation Association (MAAA) since 2015 and has served on the NAAA board since 2017, contributing to various committees including Budget & Finance, Communications, Convention, Membership, Museum and Nominating. He attended the 2015-2016 NAAA/Syngenta Leadership Training Program, which Swanson credits for providing him with the confidence and skills needed for leadership.
Swanson’s journey to becoming an agricultural pilot and a leader in the industry is rooted in his deep connection to farming and agriculture. Having spent years farming, Swanson sought a new role and began transitioning to aerial application. He earned his pilot’s license at 27 before attending the Flying Tigers Aviation aerial application program. By 2011, Swanson had fully committed to his aerial application business, SLF Air, LLC, based in Central Michigan. His work, which includes treating crops like potatoes and vegetables, spans from May to October. Over time, Swanson expanded his business and hired a seasonal pilot to assist.
Swanson is a dedicated advocate for the aerial application industry. Swanson is passionate about the importance of a united voice in ag aviation, especially when facing challenges from well-funded opposition groups. He actively encourages membership in MAAA and NAAA, stressing that a collective voice is stronger than individual efforts, particularly when defending the industry against pesticide bans and other regulations. Swanson’s main goal is to increase NAAA membership, emphasizing that every operator must contribute to protect the long-term health of the industry.
Swanson attributes his success to his support network, including his partner Shelby and two stepchildren, Greg and Mikki, who are both active in agriculture.
Swanson’s commitment to NAAA and advocacy for the agricultural aviation community is driven by his love for both agriculture and flying. He finds joy in his work and values the relationships formed within the industry. “I love agriculture, and I love flying,” he said. “The relationships are so important to me. What a great environment to do this work in, and I get to fly a machine that leaves the earth—that’s cool.” His positive outlook, belief in community, and dedication to the future of agricultural aviation will serve him well as NAAA Secretary.
Treasurer Sue Stewart (Texas)
Sue Stewart of D & S Aerial, LLC, in Haskell, Texas is the 2025 NAAA Treasurer. Stewart has been a member of the New Mexico Agricultural Aviation Association (NMAAA) for over two decades, an NAAA member since 2005, and an NAAA board member since 2010. She served as the NAAA secretary in 2021.
Stewart’s journey in agricultural aviation is a story of transformation, commitment, and passion. Initially working in banking, Stewart transitioned into the ag aviation industry managing a spray service in Stamford, Texas, involved in boll weevil eradication. In 1998, she began dating Dewayne Phillips, an agricultural pilot, and together, they purchased the spray service in 2005, founding D & S Aerial. Starting with a single Air Tractor 502, the couple built a successful operation, with Dewayne as the primary pilot and Sue overseeing business management, chemical mixing, and loading.
Reflecting on her role as a woman in a predominantly male field, Stewart highlights the growing acceptance and involvement of women in ag aviation, particularly through the NAAA Support Committee and the Athena Committee, which promotes safety, wellness, and the inclusion of women in the industry. Stewart said, “The Support Committee has emphasized the importance of women and crew being involved and better understanding the industry. We are big on safety. If you’re in the industry, you have to love the industry to thrive. It’s not a 9-5 job, so you have to be passionate about it.”
Stewart values the knowledge and connections gained through state associations and NAAA. She advocates for expanding membership and emphasizes the importance of NAAA’s advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill and with regulatory agencies. Stewart believes in programs like C-PAASS, which highlight the professionalism and technological advancements within ag aviation.
Stewart is deeply rooted in agriculture, with a long-standing involvement in her family’s participation in the Fort Worth livestock show, a tradition lasting over 50 years. Outside of work, Stewart enjoys family time, cooking, and antiquing.
Through her leadership and dedication, Stewart not only contributes to her business but also elevates the entire agricultural aviation industry. Her journey serves as an inspiration, particularly for women and spouses in the field, as she continues to advocate for the industry’s growth and success.
Strength in Numbers: Join NAAA add membership qr code
NAAA is fortunate to have a dedicated group of officers and volunteer leaders serving on its board of directors, but there is also strength in numbers. If you aren’t a member, the most effective way to address the range of critical issues facing your business is by joining NAAA. The payoff far exceeds what you will spend in dues in the form of effective advocacy, national representation, education and safety programs, and the personal connections you will make as you participate in association activities. To join, call (202) 546-5722 or visit AgAviation.org/membership.
