08.12.2021

New CEO for Maxim Crane

US crane and aerial lift rental company Maxim Crane Works has appointed Paul McDonnell as its new chief executive.

The move follows the departure of chief executive Bryan Carlisle and chief operating officer Frank Bardonaro at the end of September - see: Maxim departures.

McDonnell joins the company after more than 22 years with United Rentals, where he has been chief commercial officer since early 2019, until standing down from the role in September.

He began his rental career in 1995 as general manager at D&E Steel Plate Rental in California. Then in 1999, when the business was acquired by United Rentals, he was appointed as a district manager. In 2005 he was promoted to regional vice president of speciality operations for California, with a focus on trench safety equipment. In 2008 he took on more responsibility as senior vice president of speciality operations, adding sales to his remit in 2016 and was promoted to executive vice president eight years later.
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Paul McDonnell

Maximum chairman Michael Kneeland - and past chief executive of United Rentals - said: “On behalf of the entire board, I am confident that with his more than two decades of specialty rental experience, Paul is the right executive to strengthen Maxim’s market leadership and continue enhancing the equipment and service provided to customers. Having worked together at United Rentals, Paul’s entrepreneurial mindset, customer first focus and track record of delivering profitable growth make him the ideal person to lead Maxim’s next chapter.”

McDonnell added: “I am honoured to take on the role of CEO and lead this terrific business and talented Maxim team. Leveraging my experience in building the specialty rental segment at United Rentals, I look forward to working across the company’s broad footprint to deliver superior service to our customers, continue growing our company and deliver meaningful value to all our stakeholders.”

Bryan Carlisle, who remains on the board, said: “With Paul’s appointment, Maxim’s valued customers and talented employees are in experienced hands to take the company to the next level. Maxim’s future remains bright, and it is a credit to the entire organization and what they have built to have an executive of Paul’s calibre join the Company. I look forward to supporting Paul and management alongside the rest of the Board as they execute on the long-term vision for the business.”

With McDonnell’s appointment the Office of the CEO - which included chief financial officer Sean Collopy, chief legal officer Don Goebel and regional vice president for the Midwest Larry Lis - will be closed, allowing them to focus on their day jobs.