MONTGOMERY – Dec. 28, 2015 –Avery Ainsworth, owner of Fleet Feet Sports in Montgomery, was recently elected to the Alabama Retail Association’s board of directors. Ainsworth’s term begins Jan. 1. Fleet Feet Sports Montgomery has been an Alabama Retail member since it opened in 2013.

Born in Alabama, Ainsworth was raised in a running family and always had a passion for endurance sports. He attended and graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in civil engineering. After a short career in engineering, he decided to pursue his dream of one day owning a running store. After working his way up to general manager at the Fleet Feet Sports in Jackson, Miss., Ainsworth and his wife, Erin, returned to their home state of Alabama and opened their own store in Montgomery. Their 2934 Carter Hill Road business currently has four employees.

Fleet Feet Sports is a specialty running and walking store that sells shoes, apparel and accessories. The business is also committed to enhancing and growing the local running and walking communities by providing quality training programs, educational opportunities and footwear and apparel to help their customers reach their goals.

Ainsworth said, “We are thrilled to be a part of a group that helps retailers across our state with concerns and issues that affect our day-to-day business.”

In addition to running the store, Ainsworth founded Renewed Soles, a project that collects and provides properly fitting footwear to those in need in the River Region. He also was the catalyst for bringing Girls on the Run to Montgomery. The program inspires young girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum that creatively integrates running. Ainsworth is an active community volunteer. He recently helped raise thousands of dollars for EAT South, a group that empowers community-led programs with resources to transform local food systems.

The Ainsworths and their son, Emory, live in Montgomery.

Full list of 2016 officers and board of directors

The Alabama Retail Association represents retailers, the largest private employer in the state of Alabama, before the Alabama Legislature and the U.S. Congress. Through sales of food, clothing, furniture, medicine and more, our 4,100 independent merchant and national company members touch almost every aspect of daily living. Since 1943, we’ve worked to promote what’s best for the retail industry in Alabama. Whether voicing the retail view when public policy is made, educating members about issues that impact them, negotiating rates for benefits and services or communicating the retail story, the Alabama Retail Association and its members are better together!

MEDIA CONTACTS
Melissa Johnson Warnke | 334.551.0631 | 256.338.0621 (c)

Avery Ainsworth | 334.356.5412