For a look at the rest of the 2020 40 Under 40 honorees, be sure to check out the 40 Under 40 homepage.
Name: Waylon Jaeger
Age: 39
Job Title: President/CEO
Company: Audio Experts, Inc.
Where You Grew Up, Live Now: I grew up in Worthington/Dyersville, IA and live in Dubuque, IA now.
Education: Northeast Iowa Community College
Accomplishments: Over the years I have had several certifications including CEDIA, but my biggest accomplishment would be starting our company out of our home and making it what it is today. Two years ago we purchased our building and were able to expand it and add another building to the property. This acquisition has really helped the company grow and allowed us to expand our offerings.
CE Industry Awards: In 2017 we received the Lutron Commercial Project of the Year.
Why I Like Best About My Job: I love working with people every day – our employees, vendors, and clients. If they didn’t exist, we would not be in business.
Favorite Movie: Field of Dreams – filmed in Dyersville, Iowa
Favorite Pastime: I enjoy many things, but my favorite would be woodworking.
Best Concert: Metallica
Favorite CE Product: Lutron
If You Could be Anyplace Right Now, Where Would it Be and What Would You Be Doing?: I would love to be somewhere warmer in the winters and would be an Architect or Mechanical Engineer.
What Makes You Believe the CE Industry Will Thrive in the Next 5 Years: There is a tremendous opportunity right now and I think consumers will look at our product and services more now than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted consumers to their homes for entertainment, and a lot of them are working from home. This summer, we are seeing many cancellations of public entertainment; those people will want something better at home. We are seeing the demand rise for bigger televisions, outdoor entertainment, streaming services, and Wi-Fi network upgrades.
