Risch honors Quest Aircraft

SANDPOINT — According to Sen. Jim Risch, Quest Aircraft has something to teach all small businesses across the nation.

The Idaho senator honored the local airplane manufacturer by featuring it as his first small business of the day. An ongoing initiative in honor of National Small Business Week, Risch is highlighting Idaho businesses that demonstrate ingenuity, innovation and perseverance during tough economic times. Each business will be recognized in the Congressional Record of the United States Senate.

“There’s a lot of great small businesses in the state, but what really caught his eye about Quest was the growth of the company over a difficult period of time,” said Brad Hoaglun, Risch’s communications director.

Sure enough, Quest launched its signature Kodiak aircraft in 2007, only to have the national economy tank in 2008. That was enough to shut many business doors, but according to Hoaglun, the strength of the product is what kept them afloat. The Kodiak is used by humanitarian and missionary organizations around the planet for its rugged build quality and ability to land in a variety of different terrain.

Risch also holds Quest up as a model business for a small community through its support for nonprofits. According to Hoaglun, Quest’s tendency to balance profits between business improvements and chartiable contributions was the other major factor that weighed in its favor when it was time to select honorees. For example, the business donates approximately every tenth airplane produced to a humanitarian nonprofit.

“The senator thought it was really commendable for a business to be able to do that,” Hoaglun said.  

Geography worked in Quest’s favor in its distinction as the first Idaho business to be honored by Risch. The senator’s staff members drew up their list of candidates by examining businesses from Idaho’s six regions. Throughout National Small Business Week, Risch will acknowledge a business from each region, starting in the north and working his way downward, Hoaglun said.

“We really just want to give them a little attaboy because they’ve done some really good things,” he added.

Sam Hill, president and CEO of Quest Aircraft, said he couldn’t be happier with the national honor. The Quest crew has been working hard on reaching its growth goals, including the delivery of the 100th Kodiak, and to be applauded for that progress is a real morale-booster.

“The last several years have been very challenging for all small businesses, and we are proud to be here in 2013 with a strong work force and a strong product that has been well-received in the marketplace,” he said. “On behalf of Quest Aircraft and its employees, I want to thank Senator Risch for this very special recognition.”