AI agents aren’t coming—they’re already here.

In this episode of Rental Roundtable, we’re joined by Jesse Buckingham, former CEO of Record360 and founder of Vooma, to explore how AI is actively transforming the freight industry, and what that means for the future of rental.

Jesse walks us through a live demo of a voice AI agent that can answer calls, qualify carriers, and book freight with zero human involvement. This isn’t a future prediction. It’s already handling thousands of calls a day.

“AI is answering thousands of calls every day for brokers across America.”

Steven Eisenstein, owner of Classic Tents and Events, shares how he scaled a small tent rental company into a 96-person operation serving movie sets, major sporting events, and even the Secret Service. From building a strong team culture to developing custom software, Steven breaks down the systems behind his growth, and what makes Atlanta’s event rental market unique.

Carol Fontanez spent over a decade building Jamco’s rental division from the ground up, turning what was once a minor part of the business into a key revenue driver.

In this episode of the Rental Roundtable, she shares what it takes to succeed in the equipment rental industry. From fighting theft and earning trust to navigating a tight-knit industry, Carol talks through the hard lessons, real wins, and how to grow with integrity.

John Pfister, CEO and co-founder of Mazo Capital Solutions, joins the Rental Roundtable to discuss how transparent, dealer-focused financing is helping rental companies grow without relying on blanket liens. He shares Mazo’s approach to flexible funding, how tariffs and economic shifts are impacting the market, and why trust and clarity are the future of equipment financing.

Dan Morris started in rental right out of high school—washing equipment and running deliveries. Today, he’s the General Manager of Kennebec Equipment Rental and President of the ARA of Maine.

In this episode, Dan shares how he worked his way up over 25 years, what it takes to lead a successful independent rental business, and why now is the time to plan for ownership transitions.

Topics include:

• Career growth in the rental industry

• Succession planning and ownership

• Competing with national chains

• Company culture and employee retention

• The role of ARA in supporting independents

Fuel isn’t just a cost—it’s a competitive edge rental companies can’t afford to overlook.

In this episode, Mike Murphy, president of Ally Fuels, explains how rental companies are turning fuel management into a profit center by unlocking new revenue streams. Learn about the three phases of fuel management - 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 - and how independents can compete with the nationals by offering smarter, tech-enabled fuel services.

Brett Baker, founder of States Rentals in Midland, TX, shares how he turned $77K and a driveway into a $60M fleet. He breaks down his niche strategy, creative financing, and why team culture and customer service set them apart.

Troy Greenleaf has spent over 40 years in the equipment rental industry - and he's still evolving. In this episode of the Rental Roundtable, Troy, owner of ⁠Mainely Equipment⁠, shares how he’s adapted to decades of change, how independent rental companies can stay competitive, and why personalized service and flexible rental programs still win.

Scott Cannon, CEO of BigRentz, joins us to share how his team has used AI since 2017 to improve pricing, logistics, and decision-making across 14,000+ rental locations. We dive into the future of equipment rental, construction inefficiencies, and what small businesses can learn from BigRentz’s tech-driven approach.

Laura Albert is the third-generation CEO of Interstate Rental Service, a 90-year-old family-owned event rental company based in Boston, Massachusetts.

In this episode of the Rental Roundtable, Laura shares how Interstate has supported some of the city’s most iconic events- like the Boston Marathon, championship parades, and university graduations.

Whether you're in event rentals, equipment rentals, or running a family business, Laura’s story offers valuable insights on legacy, leadership, and adapting to change.