About Us

I was but a teenager in Edgemont high school when I had my first flying experience. A man by the name of Ted Bonde had a Cessna 182 at the Edgemont Airport in 1974. I was at home in my driveway when Ted drove up and asked if I wanted to go flying. I remember the flight was in winter and we flew over Lake Angustora soaring 125 mph about five feet off the ice. From there I was hooked.

In 1980 I had the fortunate opportunity to go work in Alaska as a Commercial diver, Crab fisherman and a Seafood machinist. Oh… Alaska! I was shuttled all over the coastal regions in small aircrafts and sometimes got to fly in the right seat as a co-pilot. After doing that on occasion for 13 years, I was able to get my private pilot license from a crop duster by the name of Jake Hoffner in Yankton SD. Since then I have advanced to a commercial pilot with ratings in multiengine, and instrument flying. Lastly, I must give credit to Jeff Jensen, Monty Hackens, Leon Brodie and Larry Hansen for their selfless contributions! Their gifts of flight and maintenance experience have kept me safe and, on occasion saved my life. I thank GOD for the gift of flight!

I have been in business now as The Royal Company SD Inc, since September of 1993. The corporation has functioned as primarily a construction company. I graduated from South Dakota School of Mines in 1991 as an Industrial Engineer. The honor bestowed upon me as an engineer has served well. The company has built projects from homes, gas stations, grocery stores and everything in between. We once moved 52 buildings from Ellsworth twice in less than 30 days. Needless to say I am a burnt out Engineer! The banner business is a new venture for the Royal Company. After all these years in business I still strive to give the customer a good experience. Banners R Fun!

I am excited that my sister Jolly Jana has come aboard to be our sailing master. Her past experience as sales director with Tupperware has given her the ability to better understand customers needs and accomplish them. She is planning to move to the Rapid City area with her beautiful daughter Madison this summer. She hopes this move will bring her closer to her banner customers. Jolly Jana will be a great asset to our team and we are excited to have her on board

I am blessed with a wonderful family. My beautiful wife Amy is responsible for my appointed name as Jolly Roger and is tireless in her love for our 3 children, Rio, Tucker and Paige. We have many memories of places we have traveled to as a flying family. I am certain they will all have flying stories to tell.