Entrepreneur’s Story: Dean Wegner ’93 – AAW Solutions and Authentically American

By Jane Anderson, Editorial Manager

For Dean Wegner ’93, the journey from Army Ranger and helicopter pilot to corporate executive and entrepreneur has been shaped by one constant: the power of relationships. As the founder of Authentically American, a mission-driven, USA-made apparel brand, Wegner credits much of his entrepreneurial journey to a lifelong network of mentors, leaders, and trusted advisors, many of whom are fellow graduates connected through the Long Gray Line.

“My advice to every graduate is to intentionally build your own personal ‘Board of Directors’: a trusted circle of mentors, friends, and advisors who provide guidance, honest feedback, and perspective throughout your career,” Wegner says.

That network began taking shape while Wegner was a cadet at West Point and became especially valuable as he transitioned from seven years of active-duty Army service into the corporate world. Inspired by his father, who spent 30 years with a Fortune 500 company, Wegner initially followed a similar path, joining Big Five accounting firm KPMG. But after two years of weekly travel, he realized the demands of the job conflicted with his commitment to prioritizing faith and family.

He turned to Lieutenant Colonel T. James Blake ’69, the officer representative for the Army hockey team during Wegner’s playing days at West Point. Blake helped connect him with Procter & Gamble (P&G), where Wegner spent six years developing his expertise in sales, marketing, business development, and brand building. Wegner later spent five years at Mars, gaining firsthand experience with some of the world’s most recognizable consumer brands, including Crest, Tide, and M&M’s.

“I’m extremely thankful for those experiences. Both are world-class marketing and branding companies, and I gained tremendous insight into building brands,” Wegner says.

West Point taught Wegner three powerful lessons: a sense of higher purpose, problem-solving, and the importance of investing in relationships. Of those, the desire to serve a higher calling rose to the top. While Wegner enjoyed success working within an $80 billion company with nearly 100,000 employees, he wrestled with feeling like a small cog in such a large organization and questioned whether he was truly making a meaningful difference. That realization became the catalyst for his entrepreneurial journey.

In 2012, Wegner purchased his first business, a government contractor that produced thousands of dress uniforms each week for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines.

Wegner soon discovered that his strengths and passions were not in manufacturing. “I hadn’t fully thought through what I was getting into. I bought a manufacturing business with 200 employees and a 100,000-square-foot facility, but my background and passion were in sales, marketing, strategy, business development, and building relationships,” he says. “During my years at P&G and Mars, I visited many factories and developed tremendous respect for manufacturing. But God did not wire my brain for manufacturing.”

Wegner quickly realized how much he had taken for granted in the corporate world, from established supply chains and systems to proven business processes. As an entrepreneur, he had to build much of that infrastructure from the ground up while navigating the highly competitive apparel industry. “I wanted to be in the game, but too often I found myself on the sidelines, unable to roll up my sleeves and solve problems firsthand because I didn’t have a background in manufacturing,” he explains.

The decline of American-made apparel was a challenge Wegner was determined to help reverse. According to the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), when Wegner graduated from West Point in 1993, approximately 50 percent of apparel sold in the US was American-made. Today, that figure has fallen to a shockingly low three percent. That reality, combined with Wegner’s passion for creating American jobs, inspired him to take action.

“That was my light bulb moment. What if, instead of being a government contractor, we built a brand? I thought back to my experience with iconic brands like Crest, Tide, and M&M’s. And what if, instead of following an industry where 97 percent of apparel sold in the U.S. is manufactured overseas, we made the intentional choice to produce right here in the U.S.?” Wegner recalls.

In 2017, Wegner sold his ownership stake in the manufacturing business to his partner and, alongside his wife, Kelly, launched Authentically American. Recognizing the challenges of building a startup, he brought in four investors, including two fellow West Point graduates, Mark Green ’86 and David Sadler ’93, and a third investor whose father was a West Point graduate.

Despite the challenges of the COVID pandemic, Authentically American averaged 20–30 percent annual growth. However, Wegner recognized that the company’s exclusive commitment to American-made products limited its potential for the “hockey stick” growth he envisioned. Serving thousands of businesses and charities, he repeatedly heard the same request from clients: They wanted one trusted partner, one supplier for all their branded apparel, merchandise, and promotional products.

Authentically American’s exclusive commitment to American-made apparel meant turning down more than 90 percent of client requests for products outside its catalog.

In February 2026, Wegner launched a six-month pilot to explore how he could better serve clients whose needs extended beyond American-made apparel. The results confirmed a significant opportunity, and in August 2026, he officially launched AAW Solutions, a veteran-owned promotional products company offering a comprehensive range of branded merchandise.

“With AAW Solutions, we can now deliver the same exceptional customer experience our clients have come to expect, but on a much larger scale,” Wegner says. “Our product catalog has expanded from 50 pages with Authentically American to more than 50,000 pages with AAW Solutions, dramatically expanding both what we can offer and the clients we can serve.”

The entrepreneurial journey can be a difficult path, and Wegner encourages those considering entrepreneurship not to go it alone. “Find that Ranger buddy who will be there with you in life’s most challenging moments,” he advises.

Three fellow West Point graduates serve on Wegner’s advisory board: Barry Jacobson ’79, Mike Christians ’89, and JD Dillon ’93. “Each brings unique experience, expertise, and perspective, and all three play an integral role in helping me navigate challenges, evaluate opportunities, and shape the future of AAW Solutions and Authentically American,” Wegner says.

During his years at P&G, Wegner also developed a valuable mentorship with The Honorable Robert A. McDonald ’75, chairman of the West Point Association of Graduates. Despite his demanding schedule, McDonald consistently made time to offer guidance and support.

“One of the many lessons I learned from Bob is that no matter how busy you are, being responsive and engaged matters,” Wegner recalls. “Bob led by example, and I strive to live by that same principle every day.”

AAW Solutions and Authentically American are proud sponsors of the West Point Entrepreneurs (WPE) Summit. “As an entrepreneur, one of my favorite AOG-supported organizations is West Point Entrepreneurs (WPE),” says Wegner, who has attended every annual Entrepreneur Summit since its inception. He also tries to attend every WPE Roadshow.

“The relationships, mentorship, and shared experiences within this community have been invaluable throughout my entrepreneurial journey,” Wegner says. “Two of my good friends and fellow 1993 classmates, Joe Kopser and Craig Cummings, originally introduced me to WPE, opening the door to an incredible network of graduates who understand the challenges of entrepreneurship and genuinely want to help one another succeed.”

For Wegner, the power of the Long Gray Line is more than a slogan. It’s something he has experienced firsthand throughout his military, corporate, and entrepreneurial journeys: “What makes West Point truly special isn’t just the four years we spend together as cadets, but the lifelong relationships and shared commitment to helping one another succeed long after we toss our hats at graduation.”

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