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Crotto named ARA president-elect: New directors to join ARA board at the conclusion of The ARA Show

By Wayne Walley

January 3, 2023

Jeff Crotto, CERP
All About Events – Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Fla.
Jeff Crotto

Crotto, CERP

American Rental Association (ARA) general members have approved Jeff Crotto, CERP, as the new president-elect for the association. Crotto is president, All About Events – Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Fla. He most recently served as ARA Region Three director and was a member of the ARA Executive Committee in 2021.

“It is an enormous honor to be chosen to be ARA’s president-elect by our members. Having recently completed a term on the ARA board of directors as Region Three director, I looked up to the people in this position and still find it somewhat surreal that I am now in this position. My company and leadership team will no doubt benefit from me being around and learning from the dynamic group of leaders on the ARA board,” Crotto says.

During his time as an ARA officer, Crotto says he wants to support further development of key groups within ARA. “I believe the Women in Rental and Young Professional Network are the two most vital initiatives that ARA has taken on in the last several years and that they will play an integral role in the future success of our industry. To that end, I want to engage and encourage these passionate groups of rental professionals to even greater heights,” Crotto says.

When Crotto becomes ARA president-elect at the conclusion of The ARA Show™ in Orlando in February, Steve Mau, president, Brainerd General Rental, Brainerd, Minn., will become ARA president. Scott Irwin, president and co-owner, Delux Rental, Ypsilanti, Mich., assumes the position of ARA board chair. Dan Hooks, CERP, president, Party Reflections, Charlotte, N.C., will complete his board service.


Associate Member Director

Larry OttLarry Ott
Rainier Industries, Tukwila, Wash.

ARA general and associate members have approved Larry Ott as Associate Member director. He succeeds Scott Pevey, senior manager, Ditch Witch, Perry, Okla. Ott is Northeast sales representative for the Commercial Tent Division, Rainier Industries, Tukwila, Wash. Ott previously served in a variety of leadership positions with the Philadelphia chapter of International Live Events Association (ILEA).

“I am honored to be a part of this board and look forward to participating in supporting the strategic initiatives of ARA. As the Associate Member director, I realize the importance of promoting the symbiotic relationship between rental centers, manufacturers and vendors. I hope to strengthen those relationships and to help with any issues affecting associate members. I look forward to working and meeting with as many members as possible,” Ott says.


Region One

Sarah WilperSarah Wilper
Taylor Rental Center, Manchester, Conn.

Sarah Wilper has been approved as ARA’s Region One director. She will succeed Julie Creedon-Linton, CERP, vice president, Creedon & Co., Worcester, Mass. Wilper is executive vice president, Taylor Rental Center, Manchester, Conn., and most recently served as vice president, ARA of Connecticut.

“Taking on the role of Region One director is very exciting. Rental is my passion and my career of choice. I am looking forward to supporting the industry on a regional level. During my time in the role, I would like to increase member engagement and make sure we get the word out about the great member benefits of ARA that we should all be taking advantage of,” Wilper says.


Region Four

Angela NusselAngela Nussel, CERP
Premiere Events, Austin, Texas

Angela Nussel, CERP, has been approved as ARA’s Region Four director. She will succeed Bryce Puckett, general manager, Kirby Smith Machinery, Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, Texas. Nussel is administrative vice president, Premiere Events, Austin, Texas, and most recently served as the immediate past president of the Texas Rental Association (TRA).

“Being the Region Four director is a responsibility I am honored to have. It is an amazing time of growth for our industry and a great time to be involved at a national level. I am looking forward to working with the ARA board to further enhance member benefits, make our ARA members aware of legislation that can impact our industry and grow our workforce. I want to work with the state boards to attain Elite status, grow membership, mentor future leaders and educate members on the wealth of resources ARA has available for our members,” Nussel says.


Region Five

Robert CopleyRobert Copley, CERP
Event Essentials, Windsor, Wis.

Robert Copley, CERP, has been approved as ARA’s Region Five director. He will succeed Dean Miller, CERP, owner, Miller’s Party Rental Center, Akron, Ohio. Copley is sales manager, Event Essentials, Windsor, Wis., and most recently served as president of the ARA of Wisconsin.

“It is such an honor to be able to serve as the new Region Five director. I’m looking forward to getting out to meet the ARA members of the region. After just returning from the ARA Leadership Conference and the ARA Young Professional Network event, I’m very excited to see so many young members engaged with the association whether that be at the state and local level, or nationally. One of my goals while serving as Region Five director is to continue to inform the members of what ARA has to offer to its members. I’m continuing to learn more and more about what the team is working on weekly, and I want to make sure our members are taking advantage of these benefits,” Copley says.


Mau makes appointments to ARA Board and Executive Committee

Dan Farrell, John Jeanguenat, Brian RichardsSteve Mau, current American Rental Association (ARA) president-elect who will assume the office of president at the conclusion of The ARA Show™ 2023 in Orlando, has named Dan Farrell to the board position of Event Rental Shared Interest Group (SIG) chair to represent that ARA member segment for a three-year term. Farrell is general manager, Marquee Event Rentals, Kansas City, Kan., an ARA member since 2013.

Mau also has appointed two ARA board members to serve a one-year term on the 2023-2024 Executive Committee. Appointed to serve are John Jeanguenat, Equipment Rental SIG co-chair, and Brian Richardson, ARA Region Two director.

Jeanguenat, who has served on the ARA board of directors since 2021, is president, RentalMax, Carol Stream, Ill. Richardson who has served on John Jeanguenat the ARA Board of Directors since 2022, is president, L & A Tent Rentals, Trenton, N.J. Jeanguenat and Richardson will join Mau and Jeff Crotto, CERP, ARA president-elect, on the Executive Committee, along with Scott Irwin, current ARA president, who assumes the board chair position in 2023. The following officer and directors will complete their terms on the board in the spring of 2023:

  • Dan Hooks, CERP, ARA board chair and president, Party Reflections, Charlotte, N.C.
  • Scott Pevey, ARA Associate Member director and senior manager, Ditch Witch, Perry, Okla.
  • Julie Creedon-Linton, CERP, ARA Region One director and vice president, Creedon & Co., Worcester, Mass.
  • Bryce Puckett, ARA Region Four director and general manager, Kirby Smith Machinery, Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, Texas.
  • Dean Miller, CERP, ARA Region Five director and owner, Miller’s Party Rental Center, Akron, Ohio.
  • Delores Crum, CERP, ARA Event Rental SIG chair and president, Premiere Events, Austin, Texas.