Rental industry veteran Larry Kaye was recently named vice president, fleet business development for SmartEquip.

Asset productivity specialist SmartEquip last week named Larry Kaye vice president, fleet business development. In this role, Kaye will be responsible for interfacing with SmartEquip’s fleet owner clients including the Cat Rental Stores, RentalOne, Sunbelt Rentals, United Rentals, Volvo Rents and a growing list of larger, mid-sized and smaller independent rental companies.

Kaye was SmartEquip’s account manager for The Cat Rental Stores before assuming his new position.

“SmartEquip takes great pride in having Larry Kaye, a widely respected industry veteran, on the company’s senior leadership team,” said Alex Schuessler, SmartEquip’s chairman and CEO. “Our clients tell us that Larry’s vast experience in the construction equipment and rental industry has enabled them to rapidly capture significant cost savings via the SmartEquip network.”

Kaye has more than 30 years experience in the industry. He started two rental companies — Duval Equipment Co. and JAX Construction Equipment — which he later sold to RSC and United Rentals respectively. He has worked as a consultant, domestically and internationally, for leading OEMs such as Caterpillar, Bobcat and Terex. Kaye has also received awards such as the American Rental Association’s Region Three Man of the Year Award, and its Special Service Award. Kaye was featured in a 1996 issue of RER magazine as one of the “new leaders” of the rental industry.

Kaye lives in St. Augustine, Fla. SmartEquip is based in Norwalk, Conn.