Honor Business
Holding the "Honor Business" banner of the McCook, Nebraska, Area Chamber of Commerce are representatives of Red Willow Aviation, Shirley Wheelbarger, left, and owners Vickie and Griff Malleck. Bob Fraker, who opened the business at the McCook Airport in 1970, stands on Griff's left. Griff started at Red Willow Aviation as a mechanic and pilot in 1974 and bought the operation from Fraker in 1980. Red Willow Aviation has 22 employees who take care of the company's Fixed Base Operation (FBO) of airplane fueling and maintenance; the transponder and repair station; aerial spraying, with five spray planes; flight instruction; and the wholesale agriculture chemical and fertilizer business whose area covers the midwest and extends to California. The Chamber and the McCook Cordials recognized Red Willow Aviation for its chamber and community involvement, especially the delivery to McCook of Santa Claus at Christmas time. Griff said, with a grin, "Bringing in Santa is lots of fun ... except all my nieces and nephews want to go with him."