The National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) is pleased to announce that Mark Hartz of Almyra, Ark., has been elected President of NAAA for 2012. Hartz is the co-owner of Grand Prairie Dusters Inc., a two-airplane operation that has been in business for 23 years. Hartz and his business partner, Scott Goetz, operate off of a municipal airport and have the added responsibility of managing the airport. They are primarily a rice operation but also treat wheat, soybeans and corn.

Hartz’s term as president marks his third officer role at the national level. He served as NAAA’s treasurer in 2001 and vice president in 2011 during Rick Richter’s administration. NAAA’s full Board of Directors consists of 42 State, Regional and Allied Industry Directors, the NAAA officer team, the WNAAAand NAAREF presidents, the immediate past treasurer and five past presidents, as well as numerous committee appointees.

Hartz said he finds it gratifying to see such a large group of people working together united for a common cause. “It’s an education to see exactly what NAAA does and how much time is involved. And some of my greatest friends on earth come from my association with the NAAA.”

In addition to his previous officer roles with NAAA, Hartz has served on the Arkansas Agricultural Aviation Association’s Board for many years, including filling all of its officer positions. He served as the Arkansas Agricultural Aviation Association President and remains very active in the agriculture museum for the state of Arkansas. Hartz has been an aviation safety counselor for FAAST (Federal Aviation Administration Safety Team) since 1999 and in 2011 won the prestigious Regional FAAST Team Award.

Serving alongside Hartz on NAAA’s 2012 officer team are Vice President Leif Isaacson of Desert Air Ag, Terreton, Idaho; Secretary Gaylon Stamps of Stamps Spraying Service, Panhandle, Texas; and Treasurer Kyle Scott of Scott Aviation Inc., Fort Morgan, Colo.

“I am deeply humbled and honored to be asked to serve,” Hartz said of his duties over the next 12 months as NAAA’s highest elected officer. “It’s my intention to do the very best job that I can, and I’m really looking forward to it.”