The ARA of Florida recently held its board election. During the process, two new faces, Dan Rose and Robert Krueger, have joined the team.
Rose is an owner of Kate Ryan Event Rentals in Tampa, Fla. The company was founded as Kate Ryan Linens in 2011 by Dan’s wife, Kristin, with his support and shared vision. The company’s website explains that the name “Kate Ryan” derives from Dan and Kristin’s daughter’s name, Katelynn Ryanne, who has been involved in the business since its establishment. The Rose family’s business has grown and evolved since 2011 to offer full-service event curation and rentals, resulting in today’s more expansive company name.
Originally from New England, Dan moved to Tampa to obtain a degree in business administration from the University of Tampa. He previously owned and operated a commercial laundry processing facility where he rented restaurant and hotel linen. This experience gave him a knowledge of the linen rental and dry-cleaning process that was put to good use in helping to shape and steer Kate Ryan Event Rentals.
Krueger comes from a family with a long history in the equipment industry. In 1929, Krueger Machinery Co. was founded in Saginaw, Mich., by his grandfather, Walter Krueger. Walter’s son, Tom, opened a rental store in the early 1970s to service the equipment needs of customers whose projects did not require purchasing. Tom opened Rentalex in Tampa in 1982 and today the company has a second Florida location in Hudson. Robert, Tom’s son, operates the Florida locations along with brother Tim Krueger.
Be sure to thank all the rental operators who are serving in leadership roles for the ARA of Florida:
President: Carol Fontanez, rental manager, Jamco, Sanford
Vice president: Cyndi Shifrel, CERP, general manager, Orlando Wedding & Party Rentals, Lake Mary
Treasurer: Juan Rodriguez, president, Elegant Parties, Pompano Beach, Fla.
Chair: Brandon Ahlgren, CERP, owner, Elite Events & Rentals, Tampa
Board member: William Geho, president, West Coast Rental, Land O Lakes
Board member: Gary Johnson, owner, KWI Grand Rental, Mount Dora
Board member: Dan Rose
Board member: Robert Krueger
Associate member director: Tom Stevens, regional manager, Gardner, Leesburg