NAAA Member Ann Hatfield-Grahek Recognized by AMAG During SINDAG Congresso - National Agricultural Aviation Association

Ann Hatfield-Grahek recognized during SINDAG Congresso

Hatfield-Grahek’s photo from the book *A História das Mulheres na Aviação Agrícola*

Ann Hatfield-Grahek of Turbine Conversions, Ltd. was recognized by AMAG – Mulheres da Aviação Agrícola (Women in Agricultural Aviation) during the SINDAG Congresso in Brazil, Aug. 18–20, 2026, and included in the organization’s book, A História das Mulheres na Aviação Agrícola (The History of Women in Agricultural Aviation).

The book recognizes women who have contributed to the development and advancement of agricultural aviation in Brazil. For Hatfield-Grahek, the honor was especially meaningful because AMAG chose to recognize an American whose work has focused on building stronger ties between the U.S. and Brazilian agricultural aviation industries.

Over the past several years, Hatfield-Grahek has worked to develop relationships in Brazil through Turbine Conversions’ Single Point Fueling System and other certified products, with an emphasis on listening to operators, building trust and determining how TCL can best support the Brazilian market.

That effort reached an important milestone in 2026 when the first Hatfield Hydraulic Fire Gate manufactured in Brazil under license through TCL’s partnership with Zanoni Equipamentos came to fruition. The project combines proven, certified technology with local manufacturing, industry knowledge and support, helping make the equipment more accessible to operators in Brazil with out the burdens of importation and the challenging Brazilian Tariff system.

“International cooperation is becoming increasingly important to the future of agricultural aviation,” Hatfield-Grahek said. “We are not simply bringing a product into another market. We are building partnerships, sharing experience and determining how we can best serve Brazilian operators with the same passion, quality and long-term commitment that we bring to our partners in the United States.”

Those partnerships are also expanding into aerial firefighting, a growing sector in Brazil where agricultural aircraft such as the Air Tractor AT-502 and AT-602 are playing an increasingly important role.

“I was incredibly honored to be included alongside women who have contributed so much to agricultural aviation in Brazil,” Hatfield-Grahek said. “For AMAG to recognize an American was especially meaningful to me. It reflects how international our industry has become and what can be accomplished when we build trust, share ideas and work together across borders.”