Andrew Heesacker to Join the American Rental Association Board of Directors
The membership has voted to approve Andrew Heesacker, president and CEO, Arvada Rent-Alls, Arvada, Colo. as Region Seven director on the board of directors for the American Rental Association (ARA), an international trade association serving the equipment and event rental industry.
As Region Seven director, Heesacker joins the ARA board of directors, which consists of 18 members who are rental business owners or manufacturers/suppliers to the rental industry. In his role, Heesacker will represent ARA members from Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. He will work closely with the presidents and members of these ARA state and local associations to implement ARA’s core purpose of supporting the success of members and advancing the equipment and event rental industry.
Heesacker has been an active member of the ARA of Colorado, having held leadership positions on the board of directors, most recently as president. He has also served as a member of the ARA Government Affairs Committee, the ARA Construction/Industrial and General Tool & Equipment Shared Interest Group and is an ARA Political Action Committee (ARAPAC) member. In recognition of his dedication to advancing the industry, Heesacker was named to Rental Management magazine’s 12 to Watch Under 40 in 2015 and awarded the Region 7 Leadership Impact Award in 2020.
“I pride myself on being patient yet pushing forward to be better every day. I love using my experience and sharing to help people and other rental operators. As Region Seven director, I will visit member stores in Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming, Utah and more to help build member involvement,” says Heesacker.
Angie Venekamp to Join the American Rental Association Board of Directors
The membership has approved Angie Venekamp, general manager of Rental Network, Squamish, British Columbia, Canada as Region Ten director on the board of directors for the American Rental Association (ARA), an international trade association serving the equipment and event rental industry.
As Region Ten director, Venekamp joins the ARA board of directors, which consists of 18 members who are rental business owners or manufacturers/suppliers to the rental industry. In her role, Venekamp will represent ARA members from throughout Canada. She will work closely with rental operators to implement ARA’s core purpose of supporting the success of members and advancing the equipment and event rental industry.
Venekamp has been an active member of the Canadian Rental Association holding key leadership positions, including serving as national British Columbia director and president. She has also-served as a member of the ARA Party and Event Shared Interest Group and attended the ARA Leadership Conference. For her contributions to the industry, Venekamp has been recognized as ARA Region Ten Person of the Year in 2012 and was named to Canadian Rental Service magazine’s Top 10 under 40 in 2013.
“I am a firm believer that what ARA offers to its membership has great value. I would like to see that this is something that remains available to any rental store that can see the value. I am excited for the opportunity to be a part of an association that is run so well,” says Venekamp.
Beth Hoff Blackmer Named Chair of the American Rental Association
Beth Hoff Blackmer, president of Aspen Rent-All, based in Basalt, Colo., has been installed as board chair of the American Rental Association (ARA), an international trade association serving the equipment and event rental industry.
As ARA’s chair, Hoff Blackmer will be responsible for effectively guiding a 19-member board of directors and their related work to lead the membership organization in implementing ARA’s core purpose of supporting the success of members and advancing the equipment and event rental industry.
Over the years, Hoff Blackmer has been an active ARA member, having served as ARA president-elect and president. From 2012-2015, she served as ARA Region Seven director, representing rental businesses in the states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. In addition, she has served on the ARA Insurance Services Board, The ARA Show TM Task Force and currently chairs the Women in Rental Committee. Hoff Blackmer has also been involved at the state level, having served as president of the ARA of Colorado board and on numerous committees. In 2013, she received a President’s Image Award for her commitment to improving the equipment rental industry through a remodeling, rebuilding or renovation project, and she received the ARA Region Seven Person of the Year award in 2018.
“It has been an honor to serve as the second female president elected to the ARA board of directors. I am thankful to my peers for embracing women in the equipment and event rental industry. As ARA’s chair, I look forward to advancing the initiatives set forth in ARA’s Strategic Plan, strengthening the industry workforce, and raising the awareness of the rental industry throughout 2021”, says Hoff Blackmer.
Dan Hooks Named President of the American Rental Association
Dan Hooks, CERP (Certified Event Rental Professional), president and CEO of Party Reflections, based in Charlotte, N.C., has been installed as the 59th president of the board of directors for the American Rental Association (ARA), an international trade association serving the equipment and event rental industry.
As president, Hooks will assume a key role on behalf of the association as an officer and lead ARA’s Executive Committee. He brings years of experience with a focus in party and event rental to his position on the board, which consists of four officers and 15 directors, including members who are also rental business owners or manufacturers and suppliers to the equipment and event rental industry.
Hooks has been an active volunteer having most recently completed his term on the board of directors as the ARA Party and Event Shared Interest Group (SIG) chair and on the ARA Executive Committee. His other volunteer service includes serving on the Tenting Initiative Task Force, Events & Tents Task Force, ARA/ARA Insurance Member Risk Management Committee, CERP Recertification Task Force and the Party and Event SIG.
“I would like to challenge every member to get involved with the association and volunteer as much time as you can to the organization. There are more ways to contribute now than there have ever been. You can assist others by simply joining in the conversations on Facebook or other social media outlets to share your experiences. All these efforts help to build our event and equipment shared experience and further our industry”, says Hooks.
Doug Haas to Join the American Rental Association Board of Directors
The membership has voted to approve Doug Haas, president and CEO, Crown Rental, Burnsville, Minn. as Region Six director on the board of directors for the American Rental Association (ARA), an international trade association serving the equipment and event rental industry.
As Region Six director, Haas joins the ARA board of directors, which consists of 18 members who are rental business owners or manufacturers/suppliers to the rental industry. In his role, Haas will represent ARA members from Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. He will work closely with the presidents and members of these ARA state and local associations to implement ARA’s core purpose of supporting the success of members and advancing the equipment and event rental industry.
Haas has been an active member of the ARA of Minnesota, having held several leadership positions including chair, president, and vice president. For his efforts, Haas received ARA’s Region Six Person of the Year Award in 2008. Haas has also served on the ARA Education Task Force and attended the ARA Leadership Conference. He is an active member and supporter of the ARA Political Action Committee (ARAPAC).
“I fully believe in ARA’s Strategic Plan. I am passionate about education and I truly believe in ARA’s mission to strengthen and support the rental industry as a whole. My expectations are that I can make a difference and help get more involvement from our members by attending meetings, visiting stores, and giving input to the ARA staff,” says Haas.
John Bibbo Concludes Term as Chair of the American Rental Association
John Bibbo, CERP (Certified Event Rental Professional), president of Event Source/Panache Events, based in Cleveland, Ohio, has concluded his one-year term as chair of the board of directors for the American Rental Association (ARA), an international trade association serving the equipment and event rental industry.
As ARA’s board chair, Bibbo was responsible for effectively guiding a 19-member board of directors and their related work to lead the membership organization in implementing ARA’s core purpose of supporting the success of members and advancing the equipment and event rental industry.
Over the years, Bibbo has been an active ARA member, having served as ARA president elect, president, chair of the board of directors as well as chair of the Party and Event Shared Interest Group from 2014 to 2017. He also served on numerous ARA committees, including the ARA Executive Committee, the Events & Tents Task Force, The ARA Show™ Task Force, Government Affairs Committee and Rebranding Task Force. In 2002, 2009 and 2018, Bibbo received a President’s Image Award for his commitment to improving the equipment rental industry through a remodeling, rebuilding or renovation project.
“I’m very proud of the progress that was made supporting ARA’s strategic plan during my tenure as chair of the board of directors. The way that ARA continues to shape the future of the industry through top-of-the-line products, programs and services is fulfilling to me personally and professionally as a rental operator. My experience serving as an ARA officer has been one of the most rewarding in my career and I look forward to what’s ahead,” says Bibbo.
John Jeanguenat, Appointed to the American Rental Association Board of Directors
John Jeanguenat, president of RentalMax, based in Carol Stream, Illinois, has been appointed to the board of directors of the American Rental Association (ARA), an international trade association serving the equipment and event rental industry.
Appointed by ARA president, Dan Hooks, Jeanguenat will serve a three-year term on the ARA board, which consists of four officers and 15 directors. Bringing years of experience in construction and general tool rental to his role as chair of the SIG, he will lead and advise the ARA board of directors on specific programs and areas of interest to members that specialize in equipment rentals.
Jeanguenat serves as a member of the ARA Technology Advisory Group and is an active Peer Advisory Group member. He is also a member and supporter of ARA’s Political Action Committee (ARAPAC).
Scott Irwin Named President-Elect of the American Rental Association
Scott Irwin president and co-owner of Delux Rental, Ypsilanti, Mich., has been approved by his industry peers to fulfill the role of president-elect for the American Rental Association (ARA), an international trade association serving the equipment and event rental industry.
Irwin will take on a key leadership role as an officer of the board and a member of the Executive Committee. He brings a lifetime of experience with a focus in construction and general tool rental to his position on the board, which consists of 4 officers and 15 directors, including members who are also rental business owners or manufacturers and suppliers to the equipment and event rental industry.
Irwin has been an active volunteer having most recently completed his term as the ARA Region Five director in 2019. His other volunteer service includes serving on the ARA of Michigan board of directors from 2012 to 2015 and as president from 2015 to 2017, member of the ARA of Michigan Legislative and Membership Committee, member of the ARA Government Affairs Committee, chair of the ARA State Rebate Policy Task Force in 2018, member of the ARA Technology Committee, and ARA Workforce Development volunteer. He has attended the ARA Leadership Conference and the ARA National Legislative Caucus and is an active ARA Political Action Committee member and supporter.
Of his upcoming term, Irwin says “It is a great honor to be elected to this role and to follow in the footsteps of the industry leaders who have proceeded me. I am excited to help lead ARA’s new Mission Statement and Strategic Plan. I strongly believe that if people understand they can have a hand in shaping a multi-billion-dollar industry in North America, we can get a greater level of participation. I believe in the direction the ARA board and CEO have set and I will do my best to promote and grow ARA.”
Scott Pevey to Join the American Rental Association Board of Directors
The membership has voted to approve Scott Pevey, Senior Manager, Marketing – brand management and marketing for the Ditch Witch, American Augers, Subsite Electronics and Trencor brands, Perry, Okla., as Associate Member Director on the board of directors of the American Rental Association (ARA), an international trade association serving the equipment and event rental industry.
In his new position, Pevey joins the ARA board of directors, which consists of 18 members and includes rental business owners and manufacturer/supplier members. During the two year term, he will represent the perspective of ARA associate members who manufacture and supply equipment to the rental market. Pevey and fellow board members oversee the association and its programs implemented by ARA staff. The board goal is to implement ARA’s core purpose of supporting the success of members and advancing the equipment and event rental industry.
Pevey previously served on the ARA Exhibitor Advisory Council and most recently as a trustee of the ARA Foundation board. In addition, Pevey has provided marketing assistance to help support industry groups including AEM, AED, PCCA, DCA and NUCA.
“I am confident that my experience base and my skill set will allow me to make strong contributions that will support the ARA Strategic Plan, strengthen ARA programs, increase member engagement and more. I am excited about the opportunity to serve and will work hard to make a difference,” says Pevey.
Steve Ricci to Join the American Rental Association Board of Directors
The membership has approved Steve Ricci, president and owner of Bigfork Rentals, Bigfork, Mont. as Region Eight director on the board of directors for the American Rental Association (ARA), an international trade association serving the equipment and event rental industry.
As Region Eight director, Ricci joins the ARA board of directors, which consists of 18 members who are rental business owners or manufacturers/suppliers to the rental industry. In his role, Ricci will represent ARA members from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. He will work closely with the presidents and members of these ARA state and local associations to implement ARA’s core purpose of supporting the success of members and advancing the equipment and event rental industry.
Ricci has been an active member of the ARA of Montana, leading the state association as president since 2019. He is an active ARA Political Action Committee (ARAPAC) member and supporter, and has attended the ARA Leadership Conference, and ARA National Legislative Caucus.
“I want to give back to the rental industry and know that I have helped make a difference for the future. I believe I can add growth, development and more solidarity to Region Eight as its director,” says Ricci.
