AEGIS is a Maine based company. Every aspect of what we do and what we create starts and ends in Maine. Every AEGIS employee lives in Maine and we all raise our families here. Our names are, John, Lorna, Ken, Joey, Travis, Don, Joe, Greg and Pete. The same person, who made your AEGIS, might be the one who answers the phone when you call us. We choose our materials very carefully with the focus being ride quality, durability, and then weight. We design and mill all our parts in-house. This is the reason that no other manufacturer produces a better, more comfortable, longer lasting bike frame. We created the world's FIRST carbon fiber bike frame here in Van Buren, Maine, using our patented process. 20 years later, our frames are still made in the USA, in Maine, and that will never change.

I purchased AEGIS because I love the sport and the people, and, because I love the product. I purchased my first AEGIS long before I owned the company. I actually closed on the purchase of this company when I was lying in my hospital bed in Portland, Maine, six days after a bike-dog collision that threatened to paralyze me from the waist down. My thoughts then were about the many athletes who struggle with physical challenges, and how I would be honored for the opportunity to motivate someone else, like they did me. I was fortunate - I had a great surgeon who fixed me, and after 2 years I'm able to ride again. Hopefully, I'll even compete in another Ironman someday.

Today, one in ten cyclists at local events rides an AEGIS. Professional triathletes Marcel Vifian, Chris McCormick (fastest bike at IM Wisconsin 2006 and overall runner-up, and Olympian Victor Plata ride an AEGIS. Kate Major rode her AEGIS T2 to a course record and win at IM USA Lake Placid 2004. Age grouper Molly Zahr won the women's race at IM USA Lake Placid in 2006. Twice in the last three years the women's champion at Ironman USA Lake Placid raced on an AEGIS. These results speak for themselves.

Often, people ask me why the AEGIS factory is in Van Buren, Maine, and if it will ever move somewhere else. The answers are easy. Our factory is in Van Buren because the skilled craftspeople, some of who have been building carbon fiber bicycles for 20 years, live there. AEGIS frames will always be made in Van Buren because I am committed to my employees and to their families, and because Maine is my home as well.

In 2005, my family lost our 7 year old nephew Tucker to cancer and because of our experience with a program called "Miracles for Mitch" AEGIS now offers a very special trade-in program for AEGIS owners. The proceeds from the traded in frames benefit kids with cancer and their families. This program is called AEGISforLIFE and is very important to me and my family and it is a testament to our commitment to our community and our customers.

AEGIS is a special company, one that I am very proud to own and privileged to be a part of. Thank you to those who ride an AEGIS and to all of you out there considering supporting this great company.