RidgeAire, Inc.

RidgeAire traces its history back to 1967 when Bud & Frances Ridgley established Ridgley Aviation in Bay City, Texas.

They moved to Jacksonville in 1962 and established a base of operations at Cherokee County Airport (KJSO). Since then, the Ridgley family has continuously operated aviation-related businesses at the airport, making the family a staple on the ramp.

After graduating from high school and serving in the United States Navy, Bud and Fran’s son Brian returned home to join the family business. He learned the business from the flightline: ground handling, fueling, eventually moving up to sales, and finally taking over ownership.