The sleek #19 chair has arrived in the offices of some of Central Iowa’s most powerful and influential decision makers, compliments of Hon Industries’ Allsteel division.  

The office furniture maker, which is polishing itself following its acquisition by Hon five years ago, introduced the chair earlier this summer with a $2 million advertising campaign organized by Wieden & Kennedy, the advertising firm known for creating Nike’s “Just Do It” ads.

The chair, a streamlined blend of aluminum and upholstered foam that can cost as much as $1,600, was part of the gift basket that was given to presenters and other celebrities at this year’s Academy Awards. MSNBC news anchor Brian Williams uses one on the set. Actors Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks each own one.

Now, Muscatine-based Allsteel has turned its sights on its home state.

The chair has been given to 16 of Central Iowa’s business leaders, including Meredith Corp.’s Chairman and Chief Executive William Kerr, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa Chairman and Chief Executive John Forsyth, Principal Financial Group Inc.’s Chairman and Chief Executive Barry Griswell and Maytag’s Chairman and Chief Executive Ralph Hake.

“Business executives are one of our targets because it gives good exposure for the chair and for our company,” said Jeff Lorenger, Allsteel’s vice president of marketing.

Iowa State University President Gregory Geoffroy, impressed by the chair, recently purchased one, according to David Brunk, an Allsteel representative who helped determine which Iowa executives were to receive chairs. Brunk was responsible for delivering them.

The #19 is meant to help Allsteel compete against Herman Miller’s Aeron, a plastic and mesh chair that can cost $1,000 and for nine years has been the staple of office suites around the country. The #19 name for the chair comes from being made of 18 parts, plus the human being who sits in it.