United Rentals last week named Michael Kneeland executive vice president and chief operating officer. Kneeland has served as executive vice president-operations since 2003. Kneeland has more than 25 years of management experience in the equipment rental industry, including key positions in sales and operations with private, public and investor-owned companies.

“Michael’s new position as chief operating officer allows United Rentals to further capitalize on his extensive knowledge of the equipment rental business,” said United CEO Wayland Hicks. “His wealth of experience has been instrumental in helping our company to shape its strategy and achieve significant growth.”

Kneeland joined United in 1998 as district manager when the company acquired Equipment Supply Co., then the largest aerial equipment rental company in North America. In 1999, Kneeland’s responsibilities were expanded to include multiple districts within United’s aerial operations. Kneeland was named vice president — aerial operations in 2000 and vice president-southeast region in 2001 prior to becoming executive vice president-operations.

Kneeland was president of Freestate Industries from 1995 until that company was sold to Equipment Supply Co. in 1996. From 1996 to 1998, Kneeland served as general manager for Rylan Rents dba Freestate Industries, a division of Equipment Supply.

Based in Greenwich, Conn., United Rentals is No. 1 on the RER 100.