Cindy Schreiber-Beck to be inducted into North Dakota’s Aviation Hall of Fame

Posted 1/27/25 (Mon)

The North Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame committee announces that Cynthia (Cindy) Schreiber-Beck has been selected as the 50th inductee into the prestigious Hall of Fame. This honor recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the growth, development, and promotion of aviation in North Dakota.. For more information on the North Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame, visit the website.

Cynthia (Cindy) Schreiber-Beck was born on December 13, 1954, and grew up on a farm near Foxhome, Minnesota. After graduating from Campbell High School, she earned a degree in Speech and Language Pathology from Moorhead State University and served students primarily in Minnesota. However, aviation eventually became her focus.

In 1982, Cindy married Gerry Beck, and together they operated Tri-State Aviation in Wahpeton, North Dakota, at that time an aerial spraying and fixed based operation. Recognized as innovative, the company perfected and marketed the SuperBoom, built the first EPA approved taxi-through loading facility and in the 1990’s, transitioned into the fabrication of warbird parts that converted the shop into an internationally recognized warbird rebuilding and restoration facility. Cindy continued the company after Gerry’s death in 2007, and in 2017 successfully transitioned the company to new ownership, securing its legacy.

For nearly four decades, Cindy has volunteered as the Executive Director of the North Dakota Agricultural Aviation Association (NDAAA). She has tirelessly advocated for agricultural aviation at the state and national levels, convened with policymakers, organized conferences, and collaborated with neighboring states to establish the Tri-State Agricultural Aviation Convention. Her leadership was pivotal during events such as the September 11, 2001, aviation shutdown. Under her guidance, the NDAAA has maintained financial stability, strong membership, and an influential public presence.

Nationally, Cindy was active in the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) and Women of the NAAA (WNAAA). She assisted in the development of an educational curriculum introducing students to agricultural aviation, earning the NAAA Most Active Woman Award in 1989.

Cindy’s contributions extend beyond agricultural aviation. For 25 years, she served as a commissioner on the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission (1997–2022), where her expertise influenced state aviation policy. In 2013, she was also a member of the Governor’s task force that advocated for, and established, North Dakota as one of the nation’s Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) test sites.

Beginning in 2015, Cindy was elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives and serves on the Education and Agriculture Committees. Her legislative work supports initiatives tied to aviation, innovation, agriculture, and education.

Cindy Schreiber-Beck’s unwavering dedication and transformative contributions to aviation have earned her a place in the North Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame. Her leadership and advocacy leave a legacy, inspiring future generations to recognize aviation’s critical role in agriculture, innovation, and community development.

Induction Ceremony Information:

The induction banquet ceremony will take place in Fargo, at the annual “Fly North Dakota” Conference on Tuesday, March 4th at the Delta Hotel. The event will begin with a social at 6:00 p.m., followed by the banquet at 7:00 p.m.. To learn more about the state’s aviation conference or to purchase tickets for the hall of fame event, visit the Fly ND website.