August 8, 2023
Kevin Fitzgerald
Hi everyone, Kevin Fitzgerald from Hiawatha Reddy Rents in Minneapolis here. I’ve been involved in the rental business for long enough to have had the privilege of meeting and working alongside many industry giants. These are the people who have dedicated years — sometimes decades — to improving our industry by generously sharing their knowledge and expertise with others, or by donating their time and talents toward the development of tools or resources that elevate the way we do business.
Do you know someone like this? You can help the American Rental Association (ARA) give that individual the recognition they deserve. All it takes is a nomination from you.
ARA is asking members to submit a nomination for the Rental Hall of Fame and Industry Contributor Awards. All award recipients will be honored during the ARA Industry Awards Lunch on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, at The ARA Show™ in New Orleans. Click here for eligibility and criteria information, and to make a nomination. Nomination deadlines are coming up quickly — on Aug. 11 — so please act quickly.
Take a look at just a few of the past ARA honorees from our region (ARA’s Region Six):
- James Keenan, Keenan’s Rental Service, Omaha, Neb., who served as ARA president from 1973-1974
- Robert Elmen, who co-founded Elmen Rent All, Sioux Falls, S.D., and who later owned Mason City Rent All in Mason City, Iowa
- Thomas Fouts, Bledsoe Rentals, Lee’s Summit, Mo., who served as ARA president in 2003
Left to right: Dorothy Hejny of Hejny Rentals, Maplewood, Minn., with James Keenan; Robert Elmen; Thomas Fouts
That’s only a list of those from Region Six who have been inducted into the Rental Hall of Fame — the industry’s most prestigious award. In addition to this, there are dozens of folks from our region who have received other ARA award recognitions over the years for their distinguished service to the industry. I hope we can add to the list in 2024!
Best wishes for a safe and prosperous month.
Kevin Fitzgerald, ARA of Minnesota president
Hiawatha Reddy Rents
Minneapolis
612-722-9516
kfitzgerald@reddyrents.com
