MONTREAL-Robert Cote, Quebec regional manager of United Rentals and president and CEO of Perco Ltd. since 1990, told RER that he is leaving the company this month to take a position as general manager of fund raising for the school of business at the University of Montreal.

Cote said he is leaving because of a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity, not dissatisfaction with his position. "I like the rental business, and Perco and United Rentals have been wonderful to me," Cote said. "I have received a lot in my life in business, and now is the time for me to give back. This will be a great challenge and an opportunity for me to do something for the university where I received my graduate degree in business."

Cote, who has already started work at his new position on a part-time basis, will join the university full-time this month.

Cote led Perco, based in the Montreal suburb of St. Laurent, through strong growth over the past decade and also led his management team in the re-acquisition of the company from French owners Pineault-Printemps in 1995. Perco, which has 11 stores in Quebec and one in Ontario, sold to United Rentals in May of last year.

United has yet to announce who will take Cote's position.