BRISTOL, Pa. — Modern Equipment Sales & Rental Co., a division of Bristol, Pa.-based Modern Group, recently appointed Chris Pera president. Before joining Modern, Pera was Sunbelt Rentals' Midwest regional manager. Pera previously owned his own rental company, Buffalo Contractors Equipment & Supply. “Chris has a fabulous reputation in our industry and will be a key member of the Modern Group management team,” said Modern Group CEO David Griffith.

“I've always had tremendous respect and admiration for Modern Group as an industry leader and I look forward to contributing to the company's success,” Pera said.

Modern Group, founded in 1946, is one of the largest independent rental and distribution companies, representing more than 400 product lines. The five Modern companies provide sales, leasing, short-term rental, service, parts, training and financing, and netted more than $140 million in sales last year. The company completed a conversion to an ESOP last year and is now 100 percent employee owned.

Modern is No. 42 on the RER 100 with $26.2 million in 2003 rental volume, at 22 locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland.