For this rental operator, ARA has been the reliable resource
By Connie Lannan
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For this rental operator, ARA has been the reliable resource

Being involved in the American Rental Association (ARA) at the local and state levels always has been important to Terry Allen, president, Webber Rental & Supply, Galesburg, Ill.

“I wanted to get involved because I like to be a part of something that has an impact on our business. ARA has a big impact,” he says.

His involvement initially was through the local Corn Belt Rental Association, of which he is still a member.

A few years later, Bob Thomas, former owner of American Rental in Peoria, was retiring from the ARA of Illinois board. He convinced Allen to take his seat on the board.

“I was pretty hesitant at first. I had been on the board of Corn Belt prior to that, even serving as president for a couple of years. If you knew Bob, he could be pretty convincing, so I took it. I am glad I did. I have learned a lot from it,” says Allen, who moved into the role of president of the ARA of Illinois this past October.

Through the ARA of Illinois, he has been active in the chapter’s State Legislative Days, as well as the forklift, driver and customer service trainings. He also has taken advantage of RentalU educational offerings.

About 11 years ago, he joined an ARA Peer Advisory Group. “That has been a huge lifesaver,” Allen says. “The things I have learned from that group have definitely contributed to our success. I would highly recommend that for others because if you want to better your business, I don’t know a better way to do it. After being with these folks all these years, you discuss things with them that your family wouldn’t understand. They all understand as we basically have similar operations. If you are having a problem, probably someone else in the group has been through it.”

Connie Lannan

Connie LannanConnie Lannan

Connie Lannan is special projects editor for Rental Management. She helps plan, coordinate, write and edit ARA’s quarterly regional newsletters, In Your Region. She also researches, writes and edits news and feature articles for Rental Management, Rental Pulse, supplements, special reports and other special projects. Outside of work, she loves to bake for others, go for walks with her husband and volunteer for her church and causes she believes in.

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