[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 129 (Tuesday, July 30, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S5193]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING EMPIRE AIRLINES

 Mr. RISCH. Madam President, Idaho's entrepreneurs are 
passionate individuals who consistently innovate and provide high-
quality products and services. As a member and former chairman of the 
Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, it is my 
distinct privilege to recognize Empire Airlines as the Idaho Small 
Business of the Month for August 2019. Located in Hayden, Empire 
Airlines is an international air carrier and heavy maintenance repair 
station with decades of experience and a history of success.
  In 1977, Nick Chenoweth and Vic Walters founded Clearwater Flying 
Service, which later became Empire Airlines. Neither Chenoweth nor 
Walters were pilots, nor had they any experience running an airline. A 
third partner, Mel Spelde, joined the company just 2 months later as 
flight instructor and manager. Early jobs for the business included 
fire patrol, air ambulance, charters, flight instruction, transporting 
backcountry hunters and anglers, and cloud seeding in Libya. The 
business quickly adopted a ``go anywhere, do anything'' attitude, which 
is reflected in its motto, ``We Can Do That.'' As the business grew, 
they eventually changed the name to Empire Airlines. Now run by 
president and CEO, Tim Komberec, Empire Airlines focuses on cargo, 
maintenance, and airline startups.
  Over the years, Empire steadily grew but never lost the try-anything, 
go-anywhere spirit embodied in its motto. Empire now has an aerospace 
division to provide state-of-the-art maintenance for aircraft, as well 
as an unmanned division, which provides drone services to help clients 
solve problems and reach goals. Empire Airlines also provides 
consulting services to help others jump-start their airline operation.
  Empire Airlines strives to be a valued member of the community, 
supporting various charities and causes, including drug-free high 
school graduation parties in the area and numerous other events. What 
might be most impressive is the way Empire celebrates the many 
employees who have reached 25 years with the company by giving them a 
place in the timeline of the company's history posted publicly on its 
website.
  Empire Airlines' success is a prime example of Idaho's 
entrepreneurial spirit: Dare to dream, look at things differently, 
never give up, and when opportunity calls, answer with ``We can do 
that.'' The State of Idaho is proud to be home to innovative, hard-
working entrepreneurs like Nick, Vic, Mel, and all of those at Empire 
Airlines. The entire Empire family shows how one big idea and a 
dedication to hard work can lead to small business success. I would 
like to congratulate Tim Komberec and all of the employees at Empire 
Airlines on being named the ``Idaho Small Business of the Month'' for 
August 2019. I look forward to watching your continued growth and 
success.

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