Three generations run successful business: Airport Equipment Rentals Inc. celebrates 20th anniversary.

• Author: Bowman, Jessica
• Position: Company overview

In 1986, Airport Equipment Rentals Inc. was born of necessity. Twenty years ago, Jerry Sadler owned a construction business and, when the pipeline-fueled economy started to slow down, the company was hit hard. To make ends meet, Sadler decided to rent out some of the construction equipment he owned outright, and Airport Equipment Rentals began.

Now, in its 20th year in business, Airport Equipment Rentals Inc. (AER) has six locations across the state, and has expanded its rental offerings from heavy equipment to do-it-yourself home products and rental cars. The secret of their success? "Loving what you do," says Jerry Sadler. "If you enjoy it, you'll do it well."

And Jerry is a prime example-not only does he love what he does, but also he loves the people he does it with. Jerry Sadler's legacy has spread throughout the organization in this way, epitomized in the presence of three sons, each of whom run a portion of AER's statewide rental outlets.

THE THREE SONS

Jay Sadler, the eldest, manages the Fairbanks rental location, the Prudhoe Bay facility, and oversees the store in Delta Junction. Eight years ago, Jerry decided to start a rental car agency in the Fairbanks International Airport, and since then, son Chris Sadler has taken the reins. Chris now manages the No. 1 car rental agency in Fairbanks, with two locations and a bustling clientele. John Sadler took the home improvement route, and manages the Rental Zone (also in Fairbanks), where you can pick up anything from a shovel to a midsize excavator. Jerry's three younger children-Sabrina, Sierra and Jerry Lee-are following in the family tradition. Currently, Jerry Lee, 15, works in John's rental store, doing the same sort of work (sweeping, running errands) that John did when he first started working for his dad.

JAY'S ROLE

Jay Sadler rents and sells heavy equipment. Everything from skid steers to a D9. His favorite piece of heavy equipment is a loader, and he can't say enough about his job. In Jay's opinion, if you want to work in heavy equipment there's no better place to be. His job entails 12-hour days checking in with his sites and making sure things are running smoothly, as well as traveling frequently to make appearances and oversee product rentals.

This has been helped significantly by the acquisition of a new plane-a $3.1 million Pilatus single-engine turboprop executive aircraft from Switzerland-that can carry about eight passengers with cargo. Jerry Sadler finds the plane a...