AIR founder Jon Harden’s first flight was a unique one. As a young boy he departed Wisconsin’s frozen Lake Eau Claire in a Piper Cub on skis. That flight would lead him to a career at direct aviation underwriter, Avemco, for 17 years. While he was serving as vice president of sales, Avemco began corporate restructuring and he was one of the first to be let go.
It was this firing that led Harden to start his own aviation insurance brokerage. Drawing from the remarkable talent that Avemco had let go, he had one firm rule for the agents in his office: they must be pilots.
“I felt strongly that our people should be in the field, close to their customers, so they could provide the very best service,” said Harden. “It’s the right way to run a business.”
Jon continues to live and breathe aviation, “It’s always a core part of my life. I enjoy sharing it with young people to open their eyes to a whole new world and opportunity.”