Jason Davis and wife, Carissa Davis receiving the Operator of the Year award from Paul Bruton.
Jason Davis of S & D Spraying Receives Operator of the Year Award!
A young man from Whiteface, Texas wanted to be a pilot for as long as he could remember. He grew up around the industry; his Great Uncle had owned and operated a spray business which planted this spark in him. He graduated from high school in 1998 and went on to get his associate degree as an electrician from South Plains College in 2001. This is where he met his future wife, Carissa. The two met in the theater department where they both had earned parts in a play, became friends, and eventually fell in love. The two were married in 2002.
This young man’s new bride was the third generation of a long time Texas panhandle spraying business, and before she changed her name to Davis, it was Stamps. Jason and Carissa Davis now had a big decision to make; pursue his current career path or take his father-in-law up on his offer for them to move to Panhandle and join the family business.
Carissa remembers when her Dad presented the opportunity to Jason to come work with him and our eventually take over the business. I told Jason that it was strictly his decision since it would have us moving farther from his family and moving in with mine. That was something I never wanted him to resent. He also happened to have another electrician job opportunity offered to him at the same time, so his mind was full of what’s best for our family. The spirit leads him and soon after lead me to knowing that the Panhandle was going to be our forever home and the dream for S&D Spraying Service was born.
In 2005 Jason and his family moved to Panhandle to help Gaylon with the flying service. Jason started out on the ground mixing and loading while Carissa started keeping books. She also lent a hand mixing, loading, mowing, prepping or grabbing lunches, and all the other behind the scenes tasks that a normal spraying operation requires.
Jason began his flight training in 2006 and had already earned his commercial certificate by 2007. Soon after, he broke out in a Cessna Ag-Wagon beginning his crop-dusting dream. In 2010 he flew his first turbine while helping Luke Boedeker in A -1 Garrett Thrush. In 2012, Jason and Carissa had earned 50% of the business and were made partners and S&D Flying Service was born.
Gaylon had this to say about Jason; I was excited when my new son-in-law announced that he would like to fly. I knew Jason had what he needed when they came up from Lubbock for the weekend, and I said, “Bring your toolbox. I have some projects for you.” He did, and installed a microwave oven, a dishwasher, and two ceiling fans.
I was impressed with his knowledge and skills. He was so particular about things being straight and level that he would hardly let me help him. I did enjoy watching him while I sipped my tea, and knew from those moments, for his being so particular, he would be a good ag pilot if he pursued it. That first year Jason took charge of mixing, loading, tracking chemicals, cleaning the hangar, and even talking to customers. To me, the future seemed bright.
It was a beautiful windless day in the Texas panhandle when I asked Jason if he was ready to fly “Old Flame”. He replied, “I am if you are” and that was the beginning of “one more crop duster” serving Texas farmers with much needed aerial pest control, and the rest is history. We all thank our God for the safety and success we’ve enjoyed.
In 2015, the flying service upgraded to their first turbine when they purchased the Air Tractor 502 which he still flies today. He has logged around 8000 total flight hours. About 4000 of those are in an Air Tractor and almost all of them being Ag time. Jason also holds his A&P license.
Jason and Carissa have held many positions related to this industry and put in countless hours over the years. Jason has served on the NMAAA BOD, TAAA BOD in every position including President during 2019-2020. He has been a member of NAAA since 2005. He received the Robert Horne Memorial Award, and in 2018 represented Texas in Syngenta leadership class. Carissa has also served on the NMAAA BOD as the admin secretary from 2005-2009, and served with the TAAA Women’s group from 2010-2022. They each serve in many, many different positions throughout their community, for their church and their children’s schools.
The Davis family has grown steadily over the years; Gradee is in 2nd grade, Gemma is in 8th grade, Greenlee is a Sr in high school and planning to attend WTAMU in the fall, and their oldest Grayson, is attending Texas Tech studying plant and soil science with a goal of becoming the 4th generation of the business.
As Gaylon and Pat have slowly moved out of the driver’s seat, Jason and Carissa have advanced fully into their role as the third generation of the family business. They have done a remarkable job of management and have grown the operation substantially. Their dedication and love towards the family business is rock solid!
Please join TAAA in recognizing this Texas ag operator family whose legacy is among the oldest in the State, with the young man from Whiteface Texas at the controls. Congratulations to S & D Flying Service, and the Davis Family!
Again, special thanks to TAAA Awards Chair, Bryan Daniel and his wife for preparing and presenting this text for the Operator of the Year Award at the Annual TAAA Convention.
