February 19, 2024
Bruce Campbell speaks at his induction into the Rental Hall of Fame
During The ARA Show™, members of the equipment and event rental community gathered on Sunday, Feb. 18, to recognize and honor volunteers during the ARA Industry Awards Lunch.
Dan Hooks, CERP, Party Reflections, Charlotte, N.C., kicked off the program by sharing the importance of volunteering and giving back to the industry. He touched on how rewarding it can be and his appreciation for those who give their time to help grow and strengthen the equipment and event rental industry.
The highlight of this event was the induction of Bruce Campbell and the late Jay D. Chapin into the Rental Hall of Fame.
Campbell, an equipment rental industry veteran and key player in the launching of the rental program for Do it Best Corp., said, “Thank you, Do it Best Corp., for providing me this golden opportunity that is being rewarded here today. You have made it possible for me to pay back my debt to this wonderful industry. And to the American Rental Association, thank you for acknowledging my humble contributions to a wonderful industry.”
Deb Ross, second from right, represents the Chapin family at Jay D. Chapin’s Rental Hall of Fame induction.
Chapin, past president and co-founder of Taylor Rental Corp., was represented at his induction by his daughter, Deb Ross. “[My father] cared so deeply about people and helping them, which was evident through the programs he put in place to give the 626 Taylor Rental franchises the tools and support necessary to succeed,” Ross said. “On behalf of myself and my family, we gratefully accept this award, and we thank you for recognizing our father’s many accomplishments within the rental industry.”
During the ARA Industry Awards Lunch, three companies were recognized with the ARA Foundation’s highest honors — the James Keenan Commemorative and 1976 Club Awards. These awards recognize those who have contributed $10,000 to the ARA Foundation during a five-year span (James Keenan Commemorative) and donated more than $5,000 to the ARA Foundation in one year (1976 Club). This year’s recipients were:
- The Toro Company Foundation, Bloomington, Minn. (accepted by Kaitlin Ingli)
- C&T Rentals & Sales, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (accepted by Kelly Brincheski)
- The Rent-It Store, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada (accepted by Doron Broadfoot)
The Volunteer Recognition Awards also were presented during the event to the following:
Industry Ambassador Award — Byron Alleman, Lafayette Rental Service, Lafayette, La.
Exemplary Service Award — Scott Pevey, Ditch Witch, Perry, Okla.
Industry Impact Award — Scott Woodruff, Tent Ox, Mechanicsburg, Pa.
Rising Star Award — Stefani Donabedian, Decanted Wine Truck, Hudson, Mass.
The ARA Industry Awards Lunch was sponsored by Ditch Witch, SANY America and Trime US.
