SmartSource Computer & Audio Visual Rentals Names New President and CEO - Peter V. Handal - Former Chairman and CEO of Dale Carnegie Training

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., Feb. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- SmartSource Computer & Audio Visual Rentals ("SmartSource Rentals," Hauppauge, NY, www.smartsourcerentals.com), one of the nation's leading providers of computer, audio visual (AV), and technology rental products to the trade show, professional conferences, and general technology markets, announced that, effective February 16, 2015, Peter V.  Handal will begin serving as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Handal is the former Chairman and CEO of Dale Carnegie Training (Hauppauge, NY, www.dalecarnegie.com) and was an existing member of the SmartSource Rentals Board of Directors. 

In accepting the position, Mr. Handal stated, "I am pleased to be joining SmartSource Rentals at this key time in the company's history. SmartSource Rentals is a fine organization with an impressive reputation, founded by a legendary entrepreneur, Julian Sandler, operating in a growth industry, with huge opportunities ahead. It is an honor to be appointed CEO by the Board. I am eager to get to know SmartSource team members and to work with them. I am confident that we will be a great team."

Mr. Handal brings to his new role a proven track record as an accomplished CEO whose strategic leadership helped Dale Carnegie succeed in building a global brand with 300 offices in over 85 countries worldwide. According to John Nestor, Senior Managing Partner of Kirtland Capital Partners (Cleveland, OH, www.kirtlandcapital.com), a leading private equity firm which acquired a majority interest in SmartSource Rentals in 2007, "Mr. Handal has the experience and skill set needed to fulfill our long-term vision for SmartSource Rentals."

"Peter has a great deal of experience in strategic planning, which is very important for us going forward. The founder, Julian Sandler, had a vision to take the company to a heightened level in sales," said Mr. Nestor, "and I am confident that Peter will take us to this next stage on a profitable basis."

Mr. Nestor continued saying that, "Peter's ability to effectively communicate a strategic vision is particularly important to an organization like SmartSource with offices and people across the nation."

Mr. Nestor noted that the company's new president and CEO's role as the head of Dale Carnegie Training, a worldwide leader in sales training, was a strong factor in the Board's decision to elect Mr. Handal to lead SmartSource in its next chapter of growth and development.

"We absolutely expect Peter to leverage his experience in developing a team and training them to pull together and to push forward in the same direction," continued Mr. Nestor. "He excels at developing people, giving them the opportunity to grow, while at the same, helping advance the organization's overall vision."

Mr. Handal also cited the companies' synergies. "There are real similarities between SmartSource Rentals and Dale Carnegie Training," added Mr. Handal. "Both, for example, have multiple locations, which is a huge advantage, though it requires a real emphasis on people. People are what make any organization succeed."

For his part, Mr. Handal is optimistic about SmartSource Rentals' future. "I see a tremendous growth opportunity ahead for SmartSource Rentals given that its national footprint is huge and that the company is effectively serving a variety of vertical markets with a full assortment of solutions for trade shows, professional events, conferences, and for general technology rentals," said Mr. Handal. "This gives our company a unique competitive advantage."

As for the first order of business as SmartSource Rentals' new President and CEO, Mr. Handal noted a plan to visit the company's branch offices and become acquainted with staff and customers.

"I expect to be traveling to a lot of SmartSource's 21 locations, getting to know our people, meeting with customers and attending various events," said Mr. Handal.  "We will, of course, be looking at today's issues, as well as to the future, developing a forward-looking strategy which will position SmartSource Rentals for new and broader growth opportunities."

He added, "While I did not personally know SmartSource Rentals' founder, Julian Sandler, I have heard so many impressive things about him that I know I have very big shoes to fill."

More about Peter V. Handal

Mr. Handal joined Dale Carnegie in 1999. In 2000, he was elected its President and in 2005, he was named Chairman. In addition to his role as Chairman and CEO of Dale Carnegie Training, Mr. Handal has led several other businesses. His positions include that as CEO of J4P Associates, a real estate concern in Baltimore, MD.; former President of COWI International, a management consulting firm; CEO of a children's apparel and accessories company marketing the "Just 4 Kids" brand, and as an executive with Exxon Corporation working in its Treasurer's and New Investment Departments.

Mr. Handal has served as a Board Member of several publicly-owned and privately-owned companies. In addition to Dale Carnegie Training, they include: Jos. A. Bank, Perry Ellis International, Wilsons Leather, Cole National Corporation, Cherokee, Buster Brown, W. Kruk and Deni Cler.

Mr. Handal holds a Bachelor of Arts from Georgetown University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago.

He resides with his wife, Patricia, in East Hampton, NY.

About SmartSource Computer & Audio Visual Rentals

SmartSource Rentals provides a unique range of rental products and services under the overall brand "Total Technology."  SmartSource has the largest national footprint in the computer and audio visual rental space.  The company serves the trade show, professional conferences, and general technology markets. SmartSource is widely recognized for its breadth and depth of offerings and seamless systems integration for even the most complex temporary installations. By leveraging high performance IT, AV, and the latest interactive technologies, SmartSource helps marketers effectively convey and distill their brand messages with optimum, impactful impressions. SmartSource Rentals has fully-staffed and equipped branch offices in 21 major metropolitan markets. Founded in 1984 as Rent-a-PC, the company was the pioneer market maker in technology rentals. For more information, visit: www.smartsourcerentals.com or call: 800-888-8686.

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