Banks joins convention bureau as sports sales manager

AURORA - The Aurora Area Convention & Visitors Bureau hired Brad Banks as the organization's new sports sales manager.

Banks' role at the AACVB involves attracting youth, amateur and professional sporting events to the region's athletic facilities, including Stuart Sports Complex, an outdoor venue developed and operated by the Fox Valley Park District that is one of the largest of its kind in the nation.

"Brad's multilevel experience in the sports arena makes him a great fit for the focused sports sales and marketing in which the AACVB is active," said Cort Carlson, executive director at the AACVB.

Banks, an Aurora resident, joins the AACVB after having successfully established himself within the financial services industry as an entrepreneur, selling life and health insurance products under the banner of Brad Banks and Associates LLC.

Prior to launching his financial services career, Banks was a professional athlete. After graduating from the University of Iowa, where he was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and was runner-up in Heisman Trophy voting, he signed with the Washington Redskins in 2003. He continued his professional career in the Canadian Football League, where he played for teams in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Montreal. In 2011, he set an Iowa Barnstormers single-game record in touchdowns with an 11 TD (10 passing, 1 rushing) performance against the San Jose SaberCats at the HP Pavilion.

"I'm truly excited to be here in the Aurora area working with the AACVB to add on to my legacy and have an impact in the community," Banks said.