American Solutions for Business (PPAI 101656, D12) – ranked the No. 9 distributor in the inaugural PPAI 100 – has announced a newly created division within the Glenwood, Minnesota-based company to target sales in the team sports market.

“Our job is to listen to the needs expressed by our customers and sales associates in the field,” says Justin Zavadil, president of American Solutions for Business. “We see the opportunity for growth in the golf and sports markets and feel it’s the right decision to create resources for our people to enter this untapped market.”

Brad Cole, a 20-year veteran at Nike, has been hired to lead the division as director of sports sales.

“I’m looking forward to working with some great people within ASB to build out the team and sports business,” Cole says. “The goal is to be number one in whatever we do, specifically sports.”

Cole’s Background

Cole spent the past two decades working in the golf division at Nike, most recently serving as club sports senior partner representative.

  • He holds a Bachelor of Science in business management and a minor in business administration from Minnesota State University, Mankato.


Cole will be a resource for salespeople within American Solutions for Business to expand into the sports market to “navigate the nuances” within the customer base and vendor network, according to the company.

“Brad has been an awesome addition to our team and company,” says Dana Zezzo, vice president of vendor relations, marketing and events. “Our goal is to consistently establish new resources so that our salespeople are never limited in what and how they choose to sell. I can’t wait to see how Brad and this division will positively impact ASB as a whole.”