|
|
|
Gary M. Trego was born in North Platte,
Nebraska on August 11, 1937. After serving in the U.S. Navy and attending the
University of Nebraska - Lincoln, he returned to work on the family ranch in
Sutherland, NE in the early 60's. He enjoyed ranching but had an additional
desire — to fly. He convinced his father that he could perform all his ranch
duties and run an aviation business on the side. Trego built a sod strip on
the family ranch and obtained a Part 135 charter certificate. Trego Charter
Service was born. In,1966, Trego and his wife,
Terry, established Trego Aviation, Inc. in Ogallala, NE, owning and operating
the FBO. Trego held a Part 135 charter certificate and served as chief pilot.
In 1968, he moved his flying career to North Platte, where he became
president of Lee Bird Flying Service. In 1970, Trego became the owner of the
FBO in North Platte and re-established it as Trego Aviation, Inc. Once again,
he held a Part 135 charter certificate and was chief pilot and Director of
Operations. The Tregos have remained owners ever
since. In 1994, their daughter, Traci and
son-in-law, Vince Dugan became co-owners and the name was changed to
Trego/Dugan Aviation, Inc. In the late 90's Trego received a type rating in
the Citation 500 series of private jets. In 2003, Trego-Dugan Jet Management,
LLC was created and a charter base was established at Chicago Executive
Airport. At the same time, Trego/Dugan Aviation, Inc formed a subsidiary and
purchased the assets of Grand Island Aviation, becoming the FBO in Grand
Island, NE. In 2009, Trego/Dugan expanded into airline ground handling,
performing counter and baggage services. As of November 2011, the Trego/Dugan
family of companies operates the FBOs in North Platte and Grand Island,
conducts airline ground handling for two airlines in five states and has six
private jets on it’s Part
135 charter certificate. Trego has over 13,000 hours of flight time in
aircraft as varied as a Piper Cub and the Citation II business jet. His
ratings include commercial, multi-engine, airline Transport Pilot, CFI and
CFII. He has received numerous aviation awards including the 1990 Nebraska
Flight Instructor of the Year and the 1990 Flight Instructor of the
Year–Central Region. Trego Aviation was the regional Piper Dealer of the Decade
in the 1980's. Trego was appointed by the Governor of Nebraska as a
Commissioner of the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics. He served on the
Commission from 1990 to 2000 and as Chairman in 1993 and 1998. |
