American Rental Association announces 2025 industry award winners
The American Rental Association has named the recipients of its 2025 industry awards, recognizing rental professionals for leadership, service and innovation. Honorees will be celebrated at The ARA Show 2026 in Orlando.
Industry Ambassador Award
Doug Haas, president and CEO of Crown Rental in Burnsville, Minn., received the Industry Ambassador Award, which honors long-term leadership at the national, state or local level.
Haas joined Crown Rental in 1989 and purchased the business in 2017. He served in multiple roles with the ARA of Minnesota and later as ARA Region Six director from 2021 to 2024, where he visited hundreds of rental businesses and helped increase participation in chapter events, membership and certification programs. He also worked on advocacy efforts related to tax policy and safety standards.
Haas currently serves on the ARA Insurance Board and the Equipment Rental Shared Interest Group and assists with testing ARA training and fleet resources.
Exemplary Service Award
Bob Christopher, general manager of Heater Sales & Service in Nisku, Alberta, and Stoney Creek, Ontario, earned the Exemplary Service Award for his contributions to association programming and Canadian industry support.
Christopher helped expand ARA of Canada–branded golf events and served on the ARA of Canada Golf Committee. He also assisted in organizing a working group focused on the CSA B138 Standard for portable oil-burning equipment, helping educate rental businesses about its requirements.
Industry Impact Awards
Kevin Day
Kevin Day, co-founder and chief operating officer of ANA in Henderson, Nev., was recognized for more than 30 years of contributions across product development, dealer support and clean energy initiatives.
Day has supported ARA Foundation programs and worked closely with chapters in California, Texas and Florida on training, demonstrations and community activities. He has shared expertise on clean energy trends and disaster readiness through ARA media outlets and national events.
Nick Deninno
Nick Deninno, founder of B&R Innovations/Block And Roll in Bethpage, N.Y., also received an Industry Impact Award. Deninno, a former event rental business owner, has focused his career on improving tent safety.
He invented the “block and roll” tent ballast system and helped lead collaboration among ARA, MATRA and ATA that resulted in the Tent Ballasting Tool, which calculates safe weight requirements for non-engineered tents. He remains active in the ARA of New York and provides training for members.
Rising Star Award
Joelyn Caprine, CERP, general manager of 24/7 Events in Valencia, Calif., was selected as the 2025 Rising Star. The award recognizes emerging young leaders.
Caprine entered the event rental industry in 2019 and quickly became involved in volunteer leadership at both the national and state levels. She serves on the ARA Young Professionals Committee and the ARA of California board of directors and was named one of Rental Management’s “12 to Watch Under 40” this year.
Leadership Impact Awards
ARA honored one leader from each of its 10 regions for contributions to state and local associations:
- Region One: Judy Fishgold, Altra Rental & Supply, Ontario, N.Y.
- Region Two: Kyle Richardson, L & A Tent Rentals, Hamilton, N.J.
- Region Three: Mike Holland, CERP, Chattanooga Tent & Event Solutions, Chattanooga, Tenn.
- Region Four: Zack Smith, Buffalo Rental, Weatherford, Texas
- Region Five: Victor Matta Jr., CERP–SM, Chet’s Rent-All, Warren, Mich.
- Region Six: Jeremy Yantes, ECP–SM, Crown Rental, Burnsville, Minn.
- Region Seven: Zach Fischer, ECP–SM, Aspen Rent-All, Basalt, Colo.
- Region Eight: Alexx Bacon, ECP–SM, Aaberg’s Tool & Equipment Rental & Sales, Tacoma, Wash.
- Region Nine: Meghann Lovlien, A Tool Shed Inc., Santa Cruz, Calif.
- Region Ten: Karen Ackerman, CERP, Special Event Rentals, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
