Even though Scott Schuller, partner, Direct Sales, based in Wilsonville, Ore., had been to several ARA of Arizona events in the past, he hadn’t considered board service until he met with Region Seven Director Andrew Heesacker, president/CEO, Arvada Rent-Alls, Arvada, Colo.
“I made a trip to Colorado and met with Andrew. He mentioned there was an opening on the ARA of Arizona board and asked if I would be interested. I thought it would be a great opportunity and said yes,” Schuller says.
Schuller already knew many ARA of Arizona members. As an independent manufacturer representative (IMR) living in Mesa, Ariz., whose territory covers Arizona and southern Nevada, he regularly meets with rental operators in the state. His company, Direct Sales, offers a broad range of construction and general tool equipment. “We offer a full range of equipment, from our largest piece, which is our single drum ride-on rollers, to small hand tools. We represent many different manufacturers, including BOMAG, Sullair, Oztec, Great Northern Equipment (GNE), Striker and Kato, to name a few,” he says.
He says his role as an IMR will be of benefit to his new board service. “I bring a little bit of a different perspective to the board than a rental store operator. I see the challenges for both the manufacturers and the rental operators and can bring that understanding to the board,” Schuller says.
He is excited about his new role, but he admits that never having served on a board before, “I am trying to take everything in to better understand my part on the board and how I can be of assistance,” he says.
Having joined the board just a few weeks before the ARA of Arizona hockey event, he was thrilled to attend the game and have the opportunity to meet his fellow board members in person instead of via a Teams call. Now he looks forward to working with his fellow board members on the best ways to serve Arizona members, noting that he is ready to dive in.
Be sure to thank all the rental operators who are serving in leadership roles for the state chapter:
President: Maureen Wendelberger, director of purchasing, Cre8ive Event Rentals, Tempe
Vice president: Brady Castro, principal, PRO EM National Event Services, based in Phoenix
Treasurer: Shaun Brown, vice president of sales and rentals, Road Machinery, based in Phoenix
Associate member director: Scott Schuller