American Athletics Inc of Jefferson has been named the recipient of Iowa Farm Bureau’s ‘Renew Rural Iowa’ (RRIA) Entrepreneur Award.
Mark Lane, vice president of AAI, credits innovation, relationships, and hard work with the success harbored by the company and the quality products that it produces. From the 1960s when AAI focused on gymnastics equipment, to the 1990s addition of Spalding basketball equipment, its motto, “Gymnasts should be limited by their abilities and not by the equipment that they’re on,” has remained central to each athletic endeavor it undertakes; it’s where AAI’s collaboration, testing, and development come into play.
“Iowa State University’s Center for Industrial Research works collaboratively to assist AAI in the innovations necessary to grow their company, grow their sales, and grow their markets through product testing, planning, and development,” says Iowa State University employee Derek Thompson.
Growth is key for Jefferson, a rural community with a population of 4,276, where AAI is recognized as a strong part of the community, economic provider, and source of local pride.
Peter Bardole, a Greene County Farm Bureau member, emphasizes the employment opportunities offered by AAI go beyond the expected, even employing farmers during their off-season, or on a part-time basis. AAI is a major employer in Greene County, with as many as 150 at any given time.
Bardole says AAI is a source of pride to the community, county, and state. “AAI is a really good employer in Greene County; it’s something that goes around the world,” says Bardole. “When you’re watching basketball games or the Olympics and you see AAI or Spalding up on the screen you just think ‘Wow, that’s made right here in Jefferson,’ and it brings a lot of pride. Through employment and tax dollars, it really adds to the county as well.”
“From their first trampoline created by Bill Sorenson in the basement of a Jefferson hardware store to their presence on the biggest athletic stages in the world, AAI remains dedicated to their Iowa community, supporters, and their commitment to quality; that’s what makes them a valued Renew Rural Iowa award winner,” says Sandy Ehrig, economic development administrator at Iowa Farm Bureau.
RRIA is an Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) initiative supporting new and existing businesses through education, mentoring, and financial resources.
