DALLAS — Freeman announced a series of senior level promotions as part of the company's ongoing management development and succession program.

Donald S. (Don) Freeman, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer, retains his position as chairman and is being succeeded as CEO by Joe Popolo, formerly president. Carrie Freeman Parsons becomes vice chairman in addition to her duties as chief marketing officer.

John O'Connell moves from executive vice president and chief operating officer to president. Jeff Price, formerly executive vice president, becomes chief operating officer of the exposition services division.

Don Freeman will continue to play a key role in the company's customer relations and industry activities, in monitoring its financial goals and performance and in guiding the company's strategies, character and culture. Among other specific duties, he will continue his involvement with customers and will also represent the company at major industry meetings.

The changes will be effective July 1, 2008, the beginning of Freeman's fiscal year.

"These new assignments reflect a carefully planned transition that has been taking place over several years to assure a smooth and seamless integration of the next generation of Freeman management," said Don Freeman.

The promotions illustrate the depth and breadth of Freeman's management talent. They are the natural result of our training and development programs, which have long been central parts of our corporate strategy and culture, and integral to the company's growth and success."

Freeman will continue to be owned by the Freeman family and the company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan," Don Freeman said. "Employee ownership has been an integral part of the company's family culture and enables us to make long-term decisions that are to the benefit of our customers."

Don Freeman joined the company in 1964 as manager of the Des Moines branch. After serving in many other capacities, he became president in 1972, and in 1977 was named chairman and CEO upon the death of his father and company founder Donald S. "Buck" Freeman.

Freeman is the world's leading provider of integrated services for face-to-face marketing events, including expositions, conventions, corporate events, and exhibits.  The company is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and has offices in 41 cities across North America.  Freeman produces over 3,900 expositions annually, including 100 of the largest 200 U.S. trade shows, and over 10,000 other events worldwide.  Founded in 1927, the company remains privately held by the Freeman family as well as the full-time employee owners through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

Rob Wendland and his wife Sandy.

The recognition acknowledges excellent individual performance in the field of operations. Only one individual is chosen for the annual award from the employees at the more than 450 domestic United agencies.

Wendland attended Western Illinois University and received a bachelor's degree in business and focused his studies on marketing as well as transportation and physical distribution.

In 1990, Wendland received his master's degree in business administration from Western Illinois University.

Wendland joined Hollander in 1993 as a project manager. He steadily took on more and more responsibility working as a local dispatcher, then a long-distance dispatcher before taking on his current role as Director of Operations in 2006.

United Van Lines transports household goods, electronic equipment, trade show exhibits and displays, works of art, and specialized freight. United, with headquarters located in suburban St. Louis, maintains a network of 1,000 affiliated agencies in 135 countries around the world. More information about United and its services can be obtained through the company's Web site at www.unitedvanlines.com.

MOLINE, Ill. — A local businessman has been named chairman of the board of the American Rental Association (ARA), an international trade association serving the equipment rental industry worldwide.

Stan Crumbaugh, owner of Independence Rent-All, Independence, Mo., most recently served as ARA's 45th president and assumed the role of chairman of the board last month in Las Vegas at the close of The Rental Show, ARA's annual trade show and convention.

As ARA's chairman of the board, Crumbaugh is responsible for guiding a 19-member board of directors, and their related work. Crumbaugh's volunteer experience on behalf of ARA also includes his service as region six director from 2002 until 2006 and participation on many ARA committees. He has also served as president of the ARA of Missouri and the Associated Rental Stores of Kansas City.

ARA's volunteer board of directors includes rental business owners and associate members who work with ARA staff to oversee the association and its programs. Each director serves a two-year or three-year term, with a third of the members changing each year. The purpose of ARA is to promote the success of members and advance the growth of the equipment rental industry, which generates annual rental revenue of $42.3 billion in North America.

"Stan is an exceptional leader of the association and within the equipment rental industry. Under his direction as president, we continued to develop our organization to offer more value to our members," stated Christine Wehrman, Executive Vice President and CEO of ARA. "We look forward to continued leadership under Stan's guidance as the chairman of the board."

SIGNAL HILL, Calif. — Design firm Bowman Design Group continues to expand its capabilities with the addition of Jake Huttner as Senior Designer. Huttner will be responsible for production management and design.

Huttner's multi-disciplinary experience combines a foundation in design with a thorough understanding of the production process-as well as extensive expertise in corporate branding and marketing communications. He was most recently senior art director for InterCommunications.

Prior, he was an exhibit designer at Southern California Edison, where he applied his graphic design background to create a variety of communications and environments including tradeshow exhibits, permanent installations, interactive kiosks and special event collateral.

Self-described as detail-oriented and outgoing, Huttner sharpened his production skills early in his career as floor manager at a graphics production facility. He was selected by Bowman Design Group because his ability to create smooth workflow between client, designer and contractor will be an asset to the firm's approach which is based on client collaboration and precise execution.

"Jake's expertise in steering complex projects through design and production ensures that our clients' projects are completed on time and within budget," said Tom Bowman, President of Bowman Design Group.

Los Angeles-based Bowman Design Group translates complex ideas into engaging stories. The results are unique and memorable exhibitions, events, multimedia, and print communications for corporations, museums, and other institutions. Clients include the National Academy of Sciences and Scripps Institution (in collaboration with Ed Hackley), Florida Crystals, Clif Bar, Northrop Grumman, Kid City (The Children's Museum of Tampa), and World Cup Soccerfest. Learn more at www.bowmandesigngroup.com.

ST. CHARLES, Mo. — Global Spectrum's Shura Lindgren, General Manager of the Saint Charles Convention Center, received the First Zonta Yellow Rose Award for her efforts in community service as a "Woman of Influence" in St. Charles County.

"I have always believed that the ability to give back to your profession or community is really the byproduct of the love and support of your family, friends, staff, and employer," said Lindgren.

"One of the many reasons Shura was chosen for this award is that she encourages her staff to give back to the community through the Global Spectrum Charities initiative," said Brenda Fraser, Zonta President.

Since the center opened in 2005, Lindgren has encouraged the Global Spectrum staff to participate in at least one philanthropic activity each year.  In 2007, those efforts led the Global Spectrum staff led to 100-percent full-time staff participation in this initiative through Global Spectrum Charities.

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