James Grandt, Arlington Heights, IL Hall of Fame Inductee 2016

Jim Grandt has served as president of Grandt Industries, an Illinois-based outdoors equipment manufacturing, engineering and marketing firm, for 34 years.  The company is best known for its American-made custom fishing rods and golf clubs.  Grandt is also a supporter of countless conservation causes, including Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Trout Unlimited, Salmon Unlimited, the Illinois Conservation Foundation, and Safari Club International, with an emphasis on programs for promoting youth involvement in conservation and the outdoors.  He also provides equipment giveaways for youth and sponsors food drives in the community. On Grandt's dedication to youth conservation education, one nominator wrote: "He realized early on that the future of our great outdoors lies in the hands of our youth, and that education and hands on experience is what seals the deal with our upcoming generations.