Proudly American, Veteran-Owned, and Built to Last
At Apollo Sunguard, we are dedicated to providing shade that is rooted in American values and reflects qualities of strength, resilience, and craftsmanship. As a veteran-owned and operated business, taking care of people is our mission, as service is our foundation. Led by a president with a 28-year U.S. Army career, our company is officially recognized by the National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA) and certified as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).
Patriotism is more than just a word to us; it’s woven into the fabric of our company and shades themselves. We are the oldest privately held shade structure manufacturer in America, with decades of experience as a U.S. government contractor that’s worked with municipal state and federal government agencies, including several military branches. We take pride in offering American-made products that are designed and fabricated right here at home.
A Small Business with Military Roots
Before forming and becoming president of Apollo Sunguard, Kevin Connelly built an extraordinary career of service in the U.S. Army, dedicating 28 years (1962-1990) to his country. Always wanting to join the fight for freedom, Connelly enlisted in the U.S. Army immediately after graduating from the University of Notre Dame. His early assignments deployed him in Germany, where he exceled in his duties as a Tank Platoon Leader and Armored Cavalry Platoon Leader.
Connelly later volunteered to join in the Vietnam War effort. There, he trained South Vietnamese troops and completed over 150 combat missions, earning himself a Combat Infantryman’s Badge.
Connelly’s contributions didn’t just end in the line of duty. Following his wartime service, Connelly continued serving through the U.S. Department of State, contributing to Vietnam’s economic development efforts. Later, as Suffolk County’s Industrial Development Agency Director, his leadership helped issue over $500 million in Industrial Revenue Bonds and created over 30,000 jobs.
Connelly retired from the Army as a lieutenant colonel and is recognized as a certified disabled veteran after being exposed to Agent Orange in the line of duty. Connelly continues to support fellow service members, remaining active in various veteran groups that assist returning veterans in finding employment.
Today, Connelly champions American manufacturing as president of Apollo Sunguard, and his leadership reflects his lifelong commitment to service.
“One of the rules that military officers live by is the responsibility to accomplish the mission and take care of your people. At Apollo Sunguard, we take care of our customers. Every product we sell is backed by a team of professionals who care about your total satisfaction.”
-Kevin Connelly
A Trusted Veteran-Owned Business Recognized by NaVOBA & SDVOSB
Apollo Sunguard is proudly certified by the National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA). This designation signifies that our company is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by U.S. military veterans. This certification provides us with reserved opportunities in government contracting, private sector initiatives, and supplier diversity programs.
Apollo Sunguard also is recognized as a service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB). This designation comes from the Department of Defense’s outreach program, which grants classifying businesses more opportunities to compete for federal contracts. It also reinforces Apollo Sunguard’s credibility, so clients can rest assured that they support authentic veteran-rooted businesses while receiving the industry’s best American-made products and services.
Quality Products That Are Made in America
As the oldest privately held shade structure manufacturer in the United States, Apollo Sunguard is committed to producing the highest quality shades designed, manufactured and assembled in the states. We source high-density polyethylene fabric known for its exceptional breathability, mildew resistance, and UV protection capabilities. Each fabric panel is precisely cut, sewn, and reinforced at our fabrication plant located in Sarasota, FL. We use advanced, non-aging stitching designed to withstand the harsh elements and direct sunlight to deliver a shade panel that is 65% American-made. Independent U.S. laboratories have tested and proven that our shade cloth blocks up to 96% of harmful UV rays and meets strict fire safety requirements as a Class 1 fire retardant material.
This level of quality and strength is also reflected in our steel frameworks. Manufactured by Allied Steel Co., Inc., each steel frame is crafted with longevity in mind with more tensile strength and longer-term corrosion resistance. To do this, our fabricators weld with specialized galvanized wire and triple-treat each weld with zinc coating for extreme durability. For marine and aquatic environments that are more prone to corrosion, we offer hot dip galvanization for maximum protection against saltwater spray and weathering.
We are confident that our shades reflect American quality, which is why we offer industry’s strongest warranty—15 years on fabric and 20 years on frames.
Want to know how we make the best quality shade? Click here to learn more!
Being a Florida based company we are no strangers to harsh weather events, which is why we engineered our shade structures to withstand hurricane winds loads in accordance with the American Society of Civil Engineers, International Building Codes, and applicable city, county and state codes. Our structures can withstand up to 115 MPH with the sails on and up to 180 MPH when removed. Thanks to our patented Quick Release System, shade sails can be removed and reinstalled with ease. Something that is very handy when preparing for an upcoming storm.
Not only are Apollo’s shades reliable and low maintenance, but they are also customizable. Regardless of what shade variant you have in mind our designers work with each customer to create a shade plan that perfectly suits their needs and their location.
Experienced U.S. Government Contractor
Since 1993, we’ve worked with municipal, state, and federal agencies to provide shade solutions that protect government properties and military personnel worldwide.
As an approved GSA contract holder (GS-30F-0029Y), we make it easy for clients to bring their vision to life with hassle-free procurement. This allows agencies to bypass the lengthy bidding process and secure pre-negotiated government pricing with ease.
In addition to shade structures, we offer EV Charging Stations through our GSA Fleet Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA)—making us one of only two vendors awarded for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) and the sole awardee for Ancillary EVSE Data Services. This BPA allows agencies to purchase ChargePoint EV stations and accessories directly from Apollo Sunguard without GSA Fleet involvement.
We also help local governments save money through piggybacking when possible. This practice utilizes existing contracts as templates to ensure each public entity benefits from competitive bids and reduced administrative overhead.
As a BuyBoard-awarded vendor, Apollo Sunguard is part of a purchasing cooperative that simplifies the purchasing process for schools, municipalities, county governments and more to achieve better pricing while saving time and resources.
Experience the difference when working with Apollo Sunguard
Apollo Sunguard is proud to be a veteran-owned and operated business that delivers top-quality, American-made shade solutions with the expertise and reliability. We strive to use our experience, certifications, and cooperative purchasing options to make working with us simple.
You will receive the best American made shade structures and support a local veteran-owned business when you partner with Apollo Sunguard. Call us at (941) 925-3000 or [email protected] to get started today!
PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN BUSINESS
- Oldest privately held shade structure manufacturer in the US
- All design and fabrication done in the U.S.
- Industry’s strongest warranty, non-prorated 15 years on fabric, 20 years on frame
- Proudly accredited as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
- Approved vendor of the Federal Government with awarded GSA contracts
