Ranson is being honored for his work on the development of the new ARA Professional Driver Education Program. He was one of the first ARA members who approached ARA regarding the development of a program for drivers and was a participant in the initial November 2007 meeting to discuss such a program. He became a key volunteer during the production of the program, including organizing and hosting a production shoot in Edmonton. Ranson also served on three review teams responsible for program content. His rental-specific expertise offered throughout the program’s development was essential to its success. His commitment to safety reaches beyond his organization for the betterment of the entire rental industry. Since the program launched, he’s taken an active role in training the drivers at Finning, The Cat Rental Store.

Special Service Award

Jim Layton, sales/marketing manager for Wacker Neuson, Menomonee Falls, Wis., will receive the Special Service Award, which recognizes a rental industry supplier who has made an outstanding contribution to the association.

Layton has been involved in rental marketing for more than 25 years. He expanded the marketing department at Wacker Neuson from a one-person operation supporting a dozen products to leading a team of communications professionals supporting nearly 400 products with a multi-million dollar budget. He led the Western Hemisphere communications efforts during Wacker’s transition from a privately held manufacturer to the global, publically traded Wacker Neuson. Layton also started what’s known today as the Wacker Neuson Rewards program, which has registered more than 20,000 contractors. Wacker Neuson has been an ARA member since 1969 and 2011 will be its 44th year exhibiting at The Rental Show.

He was on the ARA board of directors in 1997-1998 and also served on ARA’s Exhibitor Advisory Committee, among his industry involvements. Layton will retire from Wacker Neuson in December.

Outstanding Leadership Award

Harold Sater, managing director of A and A Tents, Shrevenport, La., will be honored with the Outstanding Leadership Award. This award honors an ARA member who has provided an example of superlative leadership at the grassroots level.

Sater has been ARA Region Four director since 2008 and has worked diligently to reactivate all the state associations within his region, which includes Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. As part of his efforts, he recruited members to get involved and form boards of directors for Arkansas and Oklahoma, then continued to work closely with the new presidents to ensure meeting success.

In addition, he was a host for the ARA Foundation’s international rental business leadership program and engaged others within Region Four to also host Michael Hayek of Kennards Hire P/L, Queensland, Australia, during September and October 2009.