Meet the Team: Jane Eury, National Sales Manager, APT, US
From grocery to the greenest track system in the world
Jane Eury has spent the best part of two decades in the sports surfaces industry and has had more titles than anyone else in the business. As a customer service and salesperson for APT, laterally, her focus has been firmly on the track business where she has seen Rekortan revolutionize the industry she has served for almost 18 years. We took a lap with her below to find out more about her career, how the industry has changed and what keeps her motivated.
On starting out in the industry…
I had been in the grocery retail business since I was 14 years old, but after coming off active duty from Operation Iraqi Freedom at the end of 2005, I didn’t want to go back to the hours that retail grocery demanded. I wanted to spend more time with my family. So, I answered an ad for a customer service position APT had available hoping the world of sport surfaces could offer me greater balance. That was 2006 and I haven’t looked back. I have loved the track and field industry and the people who are in it ever since.
On the early days at Sport Group…
At first, I handled customer service for tennis and concrete protection customers, but then I transitioned to handling playground and track customers. After about a year, APT's owner at the time, Mr. Beyer, and Jim Sacco asked me to become their in-house salesperson. I didn’t perceive myself as a salesperson, but they assured me that my role would be more focused on customer support than sales, which was something I took great pride in. For several years, I handled all the cold calls that came into APT, but mainly focused on playground, indoor, and track sales.
“It was very exciting to be a part of creating the only true dual durometer full pour system in the industry.”
On how her role has evolved…
In more recent years, my focus has been on track sales, specifically growing the Rekortan brand, which has always been well-respected but not necessarily promoted. With Jim Sacco's support, I was able to develop more Rekortan marketing support and offer it to a select number of our track installers. In addition to track sales, I also handle PIP component sales. Over the years, both segments of our business have grown well, and I have really enjoyed selling into both of these industries.
What evolutions have you seen in the track industry over the years?
Our Gel tracks are a major evolution. The Gel Full Pour product is the greenest track system in the world which our scientists have achieved by using unprecedented levels of renewable materials. No one else in the industry is doing this. Our lead scientist Frank Lucarelli explains it here but needless to say, it is revolutionizing our industry and I’m incredibly proud to be a part of that.
What was your first track for Rekortan?
I don't really remember one track that stands out as my first track for Rekortan, but what I remember distinctly from the earlier years is when our installer partner, Track Surfaces, needed a dual durometer system for the College of DuPage in Illinois. Choosing the right hardness (durometer) of a surface can be one of the most critical parts of a track project as it impacts the functionality and performance of the product. The balance is creating a track with a softer base and a harder top so that it is fast for competition but also forgiving on athletes’ bodies during training. This project was the catalyst for our first Gel product developed by Frank Lucarelli. Track Surfaces went on to install many gel systems over the subsequent years, and it was very exciting to be a part of creating the only true dual durometer full pour system in the industry.
What do you love most about the track and field industry?
Both the sport and the industry are diverse and I love that. It is a sport that is open to all and offers something to so many different individuals. As a company, we offer a variety of different track systems at a variety of price ranges, which means there is something that should work for everyone. I love that once tracks are installed, they are transformative. We provide both schools and communities with a safe place to train and compete, or just exercise and enjoy the outdoors for many years and that’s a great reason to get up every day.
Who is your favorite track athlete and why?
If I had to pick one athlete, it would have to be Jackie Joyner-Kersee. She was born the same year as me, so I always identified with her and truly admired her accomplishments over the years.