RM Online - Leaders honored with A.R.A.'s top awards

Robert DeBusk of American Equipment Rentals in Phoenix received A.R.A.'s highest award for 1998: the Distinguished Service Award. This award recognizes continuing service to the rental industry at the national, state and local levels.

A.R.A. Executive Vice President James Irish presented this and other awards during the closing banquet of the 43rd Annual A.R.A. Convention and Rental Trade Show in Las Vegas. These annual awards recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the equipment rental industry.

As president of the Arizona Rental Asociation in 1998, DeBusk planned programs and state legislative agendas. He continues to serve as president this year.

In 1998, DeBusk chaired A.R.A.'s Advertising and Marketing Committee and led it in planning a national advertising campaign in which A.R.A. and participating members will sponsor hundreds of television commercials promoting the value of renting on five national cable networks this year.

He also led A.R.A.'s Membership Definition Committee in developing a pilot program to extend a package of services to counter personnel. The program, scheduled to launch this year, will represent the first time in A.R.A.'s history that membership will be extended to employees in the rental industry.

A.R.A. presented the 1998 Meritorious Service Award to Joe McKenney, The Rent-All Shops, Columbia, S.C. The Meritorious Service Award recognizes exemplary leadership in a defined area of service, such as work on a national committee or on a special project or service activity.

McKenney received the award as the chairman of the Member Buying Alliance Committee - the committee that researched and worked to form the first buying group for members. He conducted a personal search for the correct way to form an effective buying group. He devoted many hours to research and several months of travel time away from his business.

In preparation for the 1998 convention in Orlando, where A.R.A. introduced the MBA, McKenney led the planning process to organize and introduce the program.

A.R.A. presented the 1998 Special Service Award to Herb White of Continental Divide Marketing, Golden, Colo. The Special Service Award recognizes an individual who is not in the business of renting, but who has made an outstanding contribution to the rental industry.

White supports local rental association meetings in several western states, including Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. As a member of the A.R.A. of Colorado, White has sponsored and hosted many association functions, and consistently volunteers his help at the A.R.A. of Colorado's annual meetings in Denver.

White serves the entire Rocky Mountain region, from Mexico to Canada, for several well-known manufacturers.

At A.R.A.'s opening session on Feb. 8, Irish presented two awards that recognize outstanding association leadership at the state and local levels.

Dave Henderson of A C & E Rentals, Okemos, Mich., received the 1998 A.R.A. Outstanding State Association President's Award. As the president of the A.R.A. of Michigan, Henderson worked with state association members, lobbyists and state lawmakers to enact a law that eases the tax burden for many rental businesses.

He has served as a director, officer and as president of the A.R.A. of Michigan and has contributed articles to the association's newsletter.

Wayne Mosley, Central Tool Rental, Cincinnati, received the 1998 A.R.A. Outstanding Local Association President's Award. As president of the Greater Cincinnati Tool Rental Association, Mosley helps promote the rental concept by appearing on radio talk shows and participating in the local home builders association, of which he is a member.

He is a past committee member, secretary, treasurer and vice president of that association.

Several regions also presented their Person of the Year Awards at events in Las Vegas. Richard Borgoyne, Norwin Rental Center, Irwin, Pa., received the award in Region Two. Richard Denlinger, Rudy's Rental & Sales, St. Petersburg, Fla., won the Region Three award. Jim Reagan, Taylor Rental Center, Mesquite, Texas, and John Jakob, Abbey Party Rents, Dallas, both won awards in Region Four. Jim Way, Eden Prairie Rental, Eden Prairie, Minn., won the award in Region Six. Region Seven presented the award to Rafael Garzarelli, Howe Rental & Sales, Salt Lake City. Gary Schneider, Total Rental Center, Everett, Wash., won the award in Region Eight. Mike Malsie, Meridian Pacific Sales, Kaaawa, Hawaii, won the award in Region Nine. Region 10 presented the award to Marcel Durand, Quality Rentals, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.

A.R.A. also presented the 1998 Next Generation Outstanding Leadership Award to Deborah Herriott of Herriott's Party Rental, Champaign, Ill.

Receiving A.R.A. President's Image Awards were: Jim Ziegler, Rental City, Boulder, Colo.; Charleigh Davis, AA Rent Village, Tuscaloosa, Ala.; and Paul Ammons, Rent-Way, Houston.