Tim Maloney, CERP, president, Canton Chair Rental, Canton, Ohio, remembers when he served on the American Rental Association (ARA) committee that helped choose Rental Hall of Fame recipients.

Laura Jutzi, CERP, 31, was determined to be a veterinarian. But in between completing her degree in equine studies and picking up a minor in business studies while working at NJS Design Event and Party Rentals, Clinton, Ontario, Canada, she decided to keep her horses as a hobby and remain 100 percent invested in the event rental company started by her mother, Nancy Snell, CERP, 24 years ago.

Meagan Priest, 35, wanted a career where she would be helping people, so she initially turned to social work. After she became “burnt out,” she took a break, working in the food and beverage industry for a few years.

Matthew Smith, 37, has what is a somewhat typical story about how he became involved in the equipment and event rental industry — by accident.

In the beginning, Megan “Mac” Whittlesey, CERP, 37, general manager, Ideal Rent-All, Mt. Vernon, Wash., was “just having fun” by joining the rental department at a family-owned hardware store.