United Rentals last week named Kenneth Mettel vice president of strategy and planning, effective immediately. Mettel has served in senior management roles since joining United Rentals in 2001 and helped guide the company’s rental rate and fleet management initiatives.

“We are pleased that Ken has assumed an expanded role in our strategic business process and management of our finance operations,” said Martin Welch, executive vice president and chief financial officer of United Rentals. “Our company has consistently benefited from his leadership of critical initiatives over the past seven years.”

Mettel originally held the position of vice president of strategic planning and analysis for United Rentals before being named vice president — market strategy and customer insight in 2006. He previous served in senior management posts with International Paper as vice president of strategic planning and was director of financial analysis with Unilever. Mettel also has five years of finance experience with Mattel Inc.

Mettel holds an MBA degree from Columbia University School of Business.

United Rentals is No. 1 on the RER 100.