The president/CEO of American Rental Association Insurance will retire at the end of February. Phil Kelling will be replaced by John Kennedy, the current CFO.
Kelling has been with ARA Insurance since 1997, and led ARA Insurance to grow from a small insurance agency with four independent agents to a premier insurance program with a network of insurance agents who support the needs of ARA members nationwide, according ARA.
Kelling is credited with starting ARA Insurance Limited, a captive insurance company, developing a rental-specific risk management program, improved insurance coverages, and institutionalizing ARA Insurance’s culture to serve its members as the highest priority.
“It has been a pleasure to serve ARA Insurance for the last 22 years,” Kelling said in a prepared statement. “The organization is in a very good position and I foresee a great future ahead for the industry and the members we serve. I’m grateful to those who served in volunteer roles to help guide the program work of ARA Insurance and make it the industry leading insurance provider that it is today.”
Kennedy’s career began in public accounting at McGladrey & Pullen, LLP, and he has experience in the telecom and mortgage industries. Prior to joining ARA Insurance, Kennedy spent 10 years in the insurance premium finance industry having served as the corporate controller for IPFS Corp.
Kennedy has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Iowa State University, is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and has earned the insurance industry designation of Certified Programs Leader (CPL).
“I look forward to the challenge of building on our successes from Phil’s tenure and continuing to improve in all aspects of our operation,” Kennedy said in a statement. “Our strategic core purpose is centered around serving ARA members and striving for excellence in all of our program work.”
Said ARA CEO Tony Conant in a statement:
“Phil has effectively led ARA Insurance to be the industry leader during his tenure. The ARA Insurance board of directors is proud of his achievements, his leadership and contributions to the equipment and event rental industry. We thank him for his dedication and wish him well. I’m confident in John’s ability to continue building upon the success of ARA Insurance and to take the organization to the next level.”
Source: ARA
