HOUSTON — Tom Bennett, CEO of the rental service business area of Atlas Copco, Rental Service Corp., is planning to retire at the end of this year, officials told RER. Bennett is leaving for personal reasons after a 37-year career in the equipment rental industry.

“Tom is looking forward to spending time with his family, working at his cattle operation, continuing to serve on RSC's board, and working with current management as an external advisor,” RSC's Kim Edwards told RER.

Bennett began his rental career with A Tool Crib in Pasadena, Calif., as a yard worker and mechanic. He was hired by Houston-based Prime Equipment, then known as Grace Equipment, as equipment manager, helping to develop preventive maintenance and equipment procurement systems. He held positions such as facility manager for Prime's largest distribution location, regional manager, regional vice president and was promoted to president, CEO and director in 1990. Bennett guided the company throughout the 1990s. Bennett was promoted to CEO of Atlas Copco's rental service business area in 1999.

Bennett is widely viewed as a unique executive in the rental industry, having worked in just about every area of the business, from yard worker and mechanic to CEO of the industry's second-largest company. Bennett has been a keynote speaker at a variety of industry forums and conventions, participates in a variety of industry steering committees and sits on the board of directors of several organizations.

Bennett's resignation will take effect Dec. 31.

Atlas Copco chairman Giulio Mazzalupi will oversee the rental service business area after Bennett's departure. Art Droege, RSC president and chief operating officer will be the highest-ranking U.S.-based official in the Atlas Copco rental organization, which is No. 2 on the RER 100.