Brian Richardson

REGION TWO DIRECTOR

The designated voting representative of all ARA general members in Region Two will vote for the director for their region.

Brian Richardson
L & A Tent Rentals
Hamilton, N.J.

Brian Richardson is president and CEO, L & A Tent Rentals, Hamilton, N.J. He is responsible for creating, planning, implementing and integrating the strategic direction of the organization. “On many occasions, you can also find me on site working alongside our staff,” Richardson says.

L & A Tent Rentals was founded in 1986 in Hamilton. Richardson says the company started with one employee — his wife — one tent and one pickup truck. Today, the company has between 30 and 40 employees, a 25-vehicle fleet and more than 1,500 tents in its inventory. “We have produced award-winning events and been featured in many industry publications,” Richardson says, adding that his family recently launched New Jersey Event Services, a portable restroom company.

Background: “I have been in the event rental industry for 43 years. I started working for a tent rental company while in high school in 1977 in Maine. After eight years, I relocated to New Jersey and founded L & A Tent Rentals. Since 2014, I have conducted training sessions for state and local fire departments and for ARA state associations in the proper installation of tents and fabric structures. I also was a contributor for the latest revision of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) Procedural Handbook on the safe installation of tenting in 2017.”

Activities and recognition:

• ARA Government Affairs Committee member: 2018-2019; chair, 2019-2021.

• ARA of New Jersey board member: 2010-2019; vice president, 2013-2016; chair, ARA of New Jersey Tenting Committee, 2010-2016.

• ARA Event Rental Advocacy Work Group member: 2021.

• ARA Event Rental Shared Interest Group member: 2014-2015.

• The ARA Show Party Rental Town Hall panelist: 2013; moderator, 2015.

• ARAPAC supporter.

• Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl staff: 1991-present.

• East Amwell Education Foundation president: 2004-2007.

• Amwell Valley Baseball president: 2000-2008.

• MATRA board member: 1997-2009; president, 2004-2005.

• IFAI Tent Rental Division (TRD) board member: 2009-2021; TRD chair, 2017-2019.

• Scottish Rite Masons of New Jersey board of trustees: 2017-present; chair, 2020-2021.

• Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Volunteer Award: 2014.

• MATRA Volunteer Award: 2015.

• IFAI TRD Volunteer Award: 2016.

• IFAI Volunteer Award: 2019.

What do you expect from ARA board service?

“I have always enjoyed traveling and networking with my industry peers. I believe this position would allow me to continue to meet new people within our industry. I would hope that I would be able to continue my mission of the importance of educating rental companies on the proper policies and safety procedures to make our industry safer.”