Rigging Innovations' History
The beginning of Rigging Innovations (RI) is very much an
example of the American Dream. Having worked in the parachute industry for several
years for companies such as Relative Workshop (UPT), Sky Supplies (Mirage), PISA
(Aerodyne) and Westgaard Parachute, I felt that I had the expertise to build my
vision of what I felt was a better harness and container system. This was not only
the physical design of the actual rig, but also a better company to serve the skydiving
market with better quality and in particular better service.
In 1984 working in my garage, I designed the prototype Talon.
The first version was nothing that I would show the public but the foundation of
what I envisioned was there. Over the next year I refined the design and with the
help of an individual who today would be called a venture capitalist, my wife Brenda
and I started RI to manufacture and sell my vision. Being based in Perris CA we
found a ready market in the Perris and Elsinore DZs. Over time the word spread and
RI grew with the addition of the Telesis student rig in 1988 and other designs over
the years.
It was not easy in the beginning as I usually did not get
paid and Brenda worked a “real” job besides overseeing the daily business of running
RI. However as RI grew, it took its place in the industry, and came to be recognized
as the company Brenda and myself envisioned.
We are still a small company, never desiring to become a
large corporate entity. Our vision has always been to simply build the best quality,
most advanced rig in the world and to provide the best customer serve to the jumping
community. To that end, I believe we have succeeded. We would like to thank those
who have helped us over the years by purchasing and jumping our products. As is
often said, “the best is yet to come” and with the introduction of the new Voodoo
Curv and the CPX accuracy rig, we are setting the bar even higher for ourselves
and the industry.
Thanks to everyone who supported us over the years. It’s been a great ride!
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The People of Rigging Innovations
Rigging Innovations is composed of many different people that come together to great
safe, comfortable, quality, innovated containers and products. The owners of the
company are Sandy and Brenda Reid.
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Sandy Reid
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A skydiver since 1970 and rigger since 1971, Sandy is the
mind behind the designs of RI. He currently has 4200+ jumps and is also a private
pilot. He has been active in the Parachute Industry Association (PIA) since 1984
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and has attended every PIA Rigger conference, now known as the PIA International
Parachute Symposium, since 1981.
Sandy is also the founder of the US Academy of Parachute
Rigging. A little known fact is that he is the only principal of any parachute manufacturer
that is a combat veteran, having served two tours in Vietnam from 1967-69 with the
USMC 3rd Recon BN.
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Brenda Reid
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A skydiver since 1974 with approximately 1000 jumps, Brenda
is the brains/CFO behind RI and handles the admin side of the business. She is also
a private pilot and a retired FAI skydiving judge receiving the FAI Gold Medal in
2005
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for her contributions to National and International skydiving judging.
When not hard at work, she spends her spare time in her
“Gourd Mahal” art studio doing exotic gourd carving and art work.
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Gordon “Gordo” Lindsay
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A skydiver since 1990, Gordo moved to Arizona 10 years ago
to escape the Northwest winter’s gloom of Oregon and be able to shoot 4 way video
year round. Gordo joined RI in 2004 and became our final inspector in production
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becoming a key person in the quality of products RI is known for.
When he isn’t inspecting “your” rig, or shooting 4-way,
he can usually be found chasing GPS tracks and trying to dodge the occasional dog
on his Dual Sport motorcycle across the Arizona desert and mountains.
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Margaret Vermeulen
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I started skydiving in 1996 at Parachute School of Toronto,
Ont, Canada. I have been working full-time in skydiving since 1998. I have done
video, coaching, packing and packing instruction. I have been rigging since 2000.
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I moved to Eloy and have been working at Rigging Innovations since. My job involves
repairs/modifications, repacks and R&D.
If ever I am not working, I like to hike, garden and Brenda
got me hooked on gourd art.
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Angela Muhs
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Angela Muhs is the newest member of the Rigging Innovations
team. She is an active skydiver with over 600 jumps currently under her belt! She is a USPA coach
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and loves to practice all styles of skydiving, including wingsuiting.
When Angela is not skydiving, riding her mountain bike, running or swimming she enjoys using her
FAA senior rigging ticket received through USAPR.
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