Robert Anderson

Robert Anderson is the co-founder of Construction Accessories, Inc., which is the manufacturer of the JackJaw® line of stake and post pullers. He is the designer of over 50 JackJaw® models for 7 different industries. Bob graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.S. in mechanical engineering. The company has served the tent industry since 2008 when it introduced the JackJaw® tent stake pullers at the MATRA show in Providence, RI. Bob is passionate about solving customers’ problems, and helping them to improve their profitability with tools that work more efficiently and safely.

Steve Belliveau

Steve has been associated with Anchor Industries for over 32 years as an outside sales representative and manager. His focus has been on selling tents and related products as well as providing technical and field assistance to his customer base. Steve started his carrier on the rental side of the industry with managing rental companies in NY and PA. He has also always been very active in numerous industry trade associations; participating in trade shows, conducting seminars, and providing articles for various publications.

Bryan Bolt

Having spent the past 21 years in sales, training and service for one of the nation’s premier tent manufacturers, Bryan recently joined ARA’s staff as Senior Director, Tenting Solutions to lead the Safe Tenting program for the Association. Bryan’s passion is in training today’s tent installer and works diligently to bring legitimacy and honor to the profession.

Rod Bristol, CFE

Rod Bristol knows first-hand how changes in technology and market forces impact a business. His 23 years’ experience as owner of a multi-unit printing chain prepared him well to help others weed the threats out of opportunities, finding the best strategic pathway forward. He is an experienced mergers and acquisitions specialist, facilitating business sales and transitions. Combine this with 15 years as a master financial trainer, and you’ve got a champion for building wealth through growth and productivity from business inception to transition.

Rod has a well-earned reputation for making complex financial topics clear and fun to learn. He has elevated the financial acumen and confidence of thousands of business owners through his work with associations, corporations and America’s Small Business Development Centers. He is a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) and facilitator of the International Franchise Association’s financial training for CFE candidates.

Krista Chapman

Krista Chapman is a business strategist and coach helping people build intentional businesses. With expertise in tech, marketing and sales as well as experience coaching organizations across all aspects of business, her approach is direct yet compassionate, allowing her to connect with entrepreneurs at every stage. She is also the founder and lead strategist of Path & Compass – a female-led, holistic digital marketing agency helps event & wedding companies build timeless brands, scale in their local markets, and navigate evolving digital technologies using their proven Five-Path Framework. Krista continues to test and refine strategies firsthand, ensuring clients receive guidance rooted in both experience and innovation.

Luke Eggebraaten

Luke is a serial Dirt Entrepreneur who currently resides in Gilbert, Arizona. Luke is the founder of Phaser Marketing which focuses on digital marketing programs for construction companies. They specialize in working with 6-figure, 7-figure, and 8-figure construction companies that need help taking their online presence up a notch. Luke is also the co-host of the Dirt Bags Podcast, and is a partner in the drag racing company Turf Wars Racing. He is also the author of the book, ”The Digital Dirt World” which can be found on Amazon!

Camile Fox

Camile Fox is the Business Development leader at Classic Tents & Events with 17 years in hospitality, including 13 years in the tent and event rental industry. Her approach to sales is rooted in relationships. Building trust with clients and creating long-term partnerships that drive sustainable growth. Camile is actively involved with ATA Tent Rental Division, supporting education and collaboration across the industry.

Simon Heidrich

Simon Heidrich is a 17-year veteran of the tents and events industry. He purchased his first 50 tables, 500 chairs and a few West Coast frame tents out of a garage in 2009. 8 years ago he sold his business to Tommy and Elizabeth Wilson and joined All Occasions Event Rental in Cincinnati where he has held the Tenting Manager position since that time. He runs a lean and mean crew of 10 who specialize in Sailcloth’s and baby structures for high end private and corporate functions. It is Simon’s goal to create the first M-F, 46 hr/week, profitable tent company.

Stacie House

Stacie House is a seasoned professional currently serving as the Director of Business Development & Marketing for Shelter Structures America. In this role, she leads the strategic growth and brand initiatives for one of the industry’s premier providers of clearspan structures and modular space solutions.

Stacie is a Certified Event Rental Professional (CERP), a designation that underscores her deep technical knowledge and commitment to the event and tent rental industry. Her work is central to Shelter’s mission of sales and distributing innovative temporary structures across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Carlos Mino

Carlos Mino is Vice President at Classic Tents & Events, a leading Atlanta-based events company serving major music festivals, city events, and the film industry across the Southeast. With more than nine years at the company, Carlos has played a key role in expanding the company’s regional presence and building the organizational structure needed to scale. He helped grow the team from 23 employees to over 100, developed hiring and operational frameworks to support rapid growth, and contributed to a fourfold increase in sales. Carlos brings practical, real-world insight into hiring, workforce development, and building high-performing teams in fast-paced environments.

Nate Niespodziany

Nate Niespodziany currently serves as the General Manager of CTC Nashville and National Sales and Project Manager for Chattanooga Tent. A dedicated professional in the event rental industry with over 20 years of experience, Nate brings a strong background in logistics, operations, project management and customer service. He has successfully managed a diverse range of events, from intimate gatherings to large-scale festivals.
Niespodziany is known for his keen attention to detail and commitment to exceeding client expectations.

He combines a solid educational foundation with hands-on experience in project management and product knowledge. Nate is passionate about creating memorable experiences and is dedicated to providing high-quality products, including tents, temporary structures and raised level flooring.

Mensur Ramic

Mensur Ramic is the National Sales & Senior Project Manager at Chattanooga Tent Company, bringing over 29+ years of experience in managing special events. Originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina, he immigrated to the U.S. in the early 1990s and began his career as an installer at Chattanooga Tent, later becoming a Lead Foreman for two decades. In 2017, he transitioned to sales and project management, focusing on major sporting and private events nationwide. Mensur actively collaborates with professional and trade associations to ensure successful event planning, prioritizing project orientation, and client feedback. He is involved in various trade organizations and has mentored many new tent and event professionals throughout his career, demonstrating a strong commitment to safety in the rental industry.

Darren Randle

Darren Randle is the Chief Operating Officer of Houston Tents & Events. He is a graduate of the University of Houston, majored in professional sports business and corporate marketing. He established Houston Tents & Events in 2020, fusing the worlds of event rentals with an eye for expert hospitality. Now employing over 70 people, Houston Tents & Events aims to exceed clients’ expectations daily, whether it’s a music festival, a tailgate event, a lavish wedding, a corporate gathering, or an intimate backyard gathering. Randle enjoys creating spaces where people can come together and make memories.

Alex Renaud

For over 30 years, Alex Renaud has been involved in the tent and temporary structure industry, contributing to its growth and evolving practices. As President and Owner of Fiesta Tents Ltd., his experience spans manufacturing, rental operations, engineering collaboration, and onsite installation. A former TRD Steering Committee member and Past Chair of the TRD Code Committee, Alex has supported the development of safety standards, installation practices, and industry education. He has been involved in a wide range of projects, from small marquees to 40-meter clear span structures, using diverse anchoring methods suited to varying environments. Alex remains committed to advancing practical, safe, and reliable solutions that help temporary structures perform effectively for every event.

Kyle Richardson

Kyle Richardson is Director of Operations and senior project manager at L&A Tent Rentals and Owner of NJ Event Services in Hamilton, New Jersey. Kyle has a degree in Landscape Design and Horticulture from Penn College. After graduation, he dabbled in his field only to realize he wanted to join L&A with his father to help grow the business. In the past 5+ years, Kyle has become very involved in the Advanced Textiles Association serving on the board of directors. He is also involved in ARA of NJ, attends Leadership Classes, leads fork-lift and Aerial lift certification classes throughout the US, and attends various trade shows. Kyle has become a “go to” person for his peers for ideas and suggestions as well as a proven problem solver on the job sites.

Kevin Vasquez

Kevin was born into the Tent Rental business. In 1990, Kevin’s parents bought a handful of tents and a trailer and created Made in the Shade Tent Rentals. In the early years tents were stored and cleaned at his family’s suburban home, as time went on the company grew until it landed in a warehouse in a new market for the business, Sacramento. After college, Kevin joined Made in the Shade full time as an Installer and Driver. As time went on Kevin learned the tricks of the trade with employees that had seen him grow up and were ready to teach him the ways of tent rental. In 2013, Kevin took on his first project managing it from the install to the takedown. From 2013 to 2019 Kevin was in the field, tightening cables, running logistics and enjoying some time on the Tent Ox. In 2020, Kevin stepped into the Chief Operating Officer role and now oversees all operations for the company. Since 2018 Kevin has sat on the Manufactures and Tent Renters Association Education Committee and recently, he has joined ATA sitting on the Code Committee.

Lauren Vasquez

Lauren Vasquez started at Made in the Shade Tent Rentals (MITS) in 2014 as an administrative assistant. She stepped away to complete her BA in Communications, and upon returning, has risen to Recruiting Manager. In this role, she works closely with upper management to establish and maintain a positive company culture and healthy work environment. Lauren has completely overhauled the hiring process at MITS, which has led to increased employee retention, improved safety records, and better company culture. Now, with over a decade of experience, she turns her sights towards improving communication not only within MITS, but the industry as a whole.

Tommy Wilson

Tommy Wilson has been an integral part of the All Occasions Event Rental team since 2002. Tommy has filled several roles in the organization, from Tent Crew Leader, to Tent Division Manager, to his current position of Director of Event Services. Currently, Tommy is responsible for managing tent sales, large scale event production, and keeping All Occasions ahead of the curve through tent purchasing.

Tommy holds the Certified Event Rental Professional designation, as well as serves on the Tent Rental Division steering committee of the Industrial Fabrics Association International. He is active in the Cincinnati area NACE and ISES chapters, as well as speaking frequently at local, regional, and national industry educational programs.

Zach Wilson

Zach Wilson began his journey in the events industry in 2009, working on tent installation crews as a summer job out of Portsmouth, NH. Since then, he has held a variety of positions in the rental world, ultimately founding The Greenwich Tent Company in 2015.
Since its inception, Greenwich Tent has grown to become one of the preeminent suppliers of rentals for high-end events throughout the region, pairing a unique and distinguished product line with best-in-class customer service. A clear vision towards strategic growth and a mission to build trust across the community have enabled Greenwich Tent to produce thousands of successful events and build relationships with many of the event industry’s leading figures.