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Let’s take a moment now to thank and offer congratulations to some people who either have been, are or soon will be contributing valuable service to the rental industry — starting with Keith Klarin, 1987 A.R.A. president and Rental Management columnist who’s celebrating 20 years of writing Party Perfect and other articles for the magazine. Read his 210th column, on page 90, and you’ll see why we are so pleased to have him as our own exclusive guru: his stuff is clear, insightful and direct, and what he writes comes from experience: 12 years in general tool rental and another 16 in party.
Keith is inclined to play the maverick and take a two-fisted stand on things from time to time, and that’s one of the reasons we like him so much — he has the courage of his convictions; he doesn’t sit on his hands. Last month, for instance, he stuck his neck out by heralding the trend toward consolidation as a healthy development for the rental industry — knowing that many will disagree. He gave three compelling reasons: the contribution of the large companies to the public awareness of rental and advancement of the rental concept by advertising broadly and establishing a high-profile presence for all rental companies, not just themselves; the clout they can add to legislative efforts; and their positive influence in such things as business management and strategic planning as this industry continues to mature and develop: i.e., there’s a lot that small companies can learn from the big guys.
And vice versa, let’s not forget — what any company, large or small, does to advance rental is good for all. That’s why the idea of an association is so valuable: all can share in the pool of knowledge and experience; together, all deliver a lot more clout in governmental relations — greater “critical mass”; and broad, collective promotion of the rental concept grows the whole industry and helps everyone.
And that is why we applaud the A.R.A. Board of Directors for approving a measure that will expand the pool of upper-management rental people eligible for election to leadership roles in the association. The rental industry demands maturity, wisdom and breadth in its leadership in order to respond to ongoing changes, challenges and emerging opportunities. Many experienced, potential leaders became ineligible when they sold their businesses and then remained as managers. Many other executives, newer to the industry, could bring much to the party if only they had the required “owner” credentials. The A.R.A. board apparently wants to be sure the association and the industry it represents have access to all the intellectual resources that might be brought to bear on an issue, instead of arbitrarily declaring some valuable insights invalid.
The potential new leaders who will be empowered by this action are among those we want to thank in advance for the contributions they will make. Thanks to all, in fact, whose vision is focused forward.
And finally, in the same context, congratulations and welcome to Christine Wehrman, who has been selected as executive vice president of the American Rental Association, replacing Jim Irish, who is retiring after 13 years of distinguished service. The new CEO comes into the rental industry and its major, international association at what is arguably the most exciting, most challenging point in its history thus far — but even more exciting, even more challenging times are sure to come. That is why these actions of the A.R.A. board are so critical, and so deserving of our admiration.
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