American Rental Association names new board leadership

The American Rental Association has named its next board chair and association president: Robert H. Pedersen has been installed as board chair and Brian Richardson has been installed as the 64th president of the board of directors.

Pederson is president and CEO of A Tool Shed, Inc. from Santa Cruz, Calif. Meanwhile, Richardson is president and CEO, L & A Tent Rentals, Hamilton, N.J.

OUTGOING ARA BOARD CHAIR

Jeff Crotto, CERP, president of All About Events, Jacksonville, has concluded his one-year term as chair of the board of directors.

As ARA’s board chair, Crotto was responsible for effectively guiding a 17-member board of directors and their related work to lead the membership organization.

Crotto has been an active volunteer in the association. In 2025, he traveled to Melbourne, Australia, to represent ARA at Australia’s Hire and Rental Industry Association convention. His other ARA volunteer service includes serving as a Rental Hall of Fame Selection Committee member, Executive Committee member, Event Rental Advocacy Work Group member, ARA Region Three director, Event Rental Shared Interest Group (SIG) member, ARA of Florida board member and officer, a supporter of ARA’s political action committee, ARA National Legislative Caucus attendee, and ARA Leadership Conference attendee, along with many other acts of volunteerism involving the ARA and his community.

“Serving on the ARA board has been one of the most meaningful chapters of my career, offering the chance to contribute to the direction of an organization that I love so much and continues to elevate our industry," Crotto says. "I’m thankful for the relationships built, the lessons learned and the opportunity to give back to a community that has given so much to me."

INCOMING ARA BOARD LEADERSHIP

As ARA’s chair, Pedersen will be responsible for effectively guiding the board of directors and their related work to lead the membership organization. Pedersen has been an active volunteer having most recently completed his term as ARA president. He has co-chaired the ARA Equipment Rental Shared Interest Group and has participated as a member of the ARA Executive Committee, the ARA Budget/Audit Committee and the ARA Investment Committee. Pedersen has been an attendee and speaker at The ARA Show, served as ARAPAC Council chair, ARA Region Nine director, ARA of California Legislative Committee member and many other acts of leadership in the equipment and event rental industry.

“It’s been a true honor to serve as ARA president for the past year. I am sincerely grateful to my wife Barbara; our children Rob, Meghann and Erika; and my team at A Tool Shed Equipment Rentals," Pedersen says. "Traveling across the country and Canada to meet members, attending ARA conferences and events, and advocating on key government issues has been incredibly rewarding, but none of it would have been possible without the unwavering support of my family, friends and colleagues.”

As president, Richardson will assume a key role on behalf of the association as an officer and lead ARA's executive committee. He has been involved in the event rental industry full-time since joining Lewiston Auburn Tent & Awning Co. in Maine as a project manager in 1980. He founded L & A Tent Rentals in New Jersey in 1986.

Richardson has been an active volunteer, having most recently completed his term as ARA president-elect. He has served as ARA Region Two director and on the ARA Executive Committee, ARA Budget/Audit Committee, ARA Investment Committee, ARA Event Rental Advocacy Work Group, ARA Government Affairs Committee and ARA Event Rental Shared Interest Group. His service also has included positions on the ARA of New Jersey board and many other acts of leadership in the equipment and event rental industry.

“ARA is about people — the relationships, friendships and the community that make the rental industry unlike any other,” Richardson says. "Our association must help small businesses stay strong and sustainable, while also leveraging the influence and resources of large companies to advance standards, training and safety.”

Plus, Sarah Wilper, CERP, executive vice president, Taylor Rental of Manchester, Manchester, Conn., has been installed as president-elect for the American Rental Association.

Wilper will take on a key leadership role as an officer of the board and a member of the executive committee.

Wilper has been an active volunteer having most recently completed her term as ARA Region One director. She has served on the ARA Executive Committee, ARA Budget/Audit Committee, ARA Investment Committee, ARA Women in Rental Committee, ARA Young Professionals Committee and ARA Event Rental Shared Interest Group. Her service also has included positions on the ARA of Connecticut board and many other acts of leadership in the equipment and event rental industry.

“I am excited about the opportunity to serve in this role because I am driven to give back to an organization that has given me so much,” Wilper says. “I want to contribute to the continued growth and success of the rental industry, bringing fresh ideas, supporting fellow professionals and fostering a sense of community within ARA. This position allows me to combine my years of experience, my passion for the industry and my commitment to leadership — all of which align perfectly with my vision of advancing ARA’s mission.”