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Hov-Aire president is next business breakfast speaker

May 18, 2005

KALAMAZOO--Maurice Hovious, president of Hov-Aire Inc., will speak at Western Michigan University Friday, May 27, as part of the Keystone Community Bank Breakfast Speaker Series at the Haworth College of Business.

The presentation by Hovious, "Doing Business Out of the Box," will take place at 7:30 a.m. in the Dean's Conference Room, Room 2150, of Schneider Hall.

Hovious came to Kalamazoo in 1964 and began his career as a pilot for George Laure, owner of WL Molding. He joined Kal-Aero in the early 1970s, then ventured out on his own in 1992 by establishing Hov-Aire Inc. and Lakala Aviation.

Hov-Aire specializes in historic airframe/aircraft reconstruction, including rebuilding Piper Malibus and Ford Tri-Motor vintage aircraft from the 1920s. The company recently acquired 138,000 square feet in the former Simpson Lee Paper Co. in Vicksburg, and is now operating out of that space with 35 employees.

Hovious has an aviation degree from the University of Illinois that encompasses piloting and the technical side of aviation. His passion for aircraft has resulted in trips to both the North and South Poles to lead efforts in recovering vintage aircraft located there.

He is a recognized expert in the reconstruction of Piper Malibus and Ford Tri-Motor aircraft and has had a special fondness for the Tri-Motor for more 30 years. Only four of the 199 Ford-built planes are still flying, and Hovious is currently rebuilding four more in hopes they will be flying in the near future.

Now in its fifth year, the breakfast series is sponsored by Keystone Community Bank. The events offer community members, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and other guests an opportunity to discuss important business issues. This year's Keystone meetings have drawn leaders from around West Michigan to examine their triumphs, challenges and strategies for success.

Hovious' talk is free and open to the public. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (269) 387-5050. Parking is available in the nearby Fetzer Center lot.

Media contact: Jeanne Baron, 269 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu

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