Texas Rental Association

About Us

The Texas Rental Association (TRA) is led by ARA-member industry professionals. The association has a long history of serving equipment and event rental operators in Texas by:

  • Advocating for the industry
  • Offering education and training
  • Awarding educational scholarships
  • Providing opportunities for peer-to-peer networking

TRA was founded in 1958 and became a state chapter of the American Rental Association (ARA) in 2008.

TRA Board of Directors

The following members hold positions:

Gary Jones, Jr.
President
North Main Tool Rental
3901 N Main St
Houston, TX 77009
713-862-9353
Fax: 713-862-9994
Stephanie Ybarra-Alberti
Vice President
United Rentals
6841 Leopard St
Corpus Christi, TX 78409-1703
361-241-0980
Fax: 361-241-1711
Brandon Marrs
Secretary
Top Gunn Equipment Rentals Inc.
7920 Anderson Sq
Austin, TX 78757-8419
512-452-2610
Fax: 512-442-4579
Amanda Jones, CERP
Treasurer
Tyler Tents and Events
5515 State Hwy 31 W
Tyler, TX 75709-9731
903-200-6744
Keith Kitchens, CERP
Immediate Past President
Tomball Rental Center
27219 Tomball Pkwy (Business 249)
Tomball, TX 77375-6510
281-351-8144
Fax: 281-255-2316
Alan Richison
Board Member
Galveston Rentals Inc.
8435 Stewart Road
Galveston, TX 77554
409-740-1000
Fax: 409-740-1005
Kalli Fowler
Board Member
Kaige Equipment, LLC
1401 W I-20
Odessa, TX 79766
432-294-7684
Matt Cosby
Board Member
Peerless Events and Tents
7801 N Lamar Blvd Ste A126
Austin, TX 78744-3669
512-821-1994
DeMita Torrans
Board Member
Dot's Rentals & Sales
814 N Robison Rd
Texarkana, TX 75501-6306
903-792-7011
Fax: 903-831-4782
Kent Flanagan
Board Member
Flanagan's Outdoor Power
5209 Texoma Pkwy
Sherman, TX 75090-2113
903-771-2864
Fax: 903-771-2865
Zack Smith
Board Member
Buffalo Rental
1506 Fort Worth Hwy
Weatherford, TX 76086-4627
682-262-1347
Alfred Alvarez
Associate Member Director
Hilti
7250 Dallas Pkwy Ste 1000
Plano, TX 75024-4998
800-879-8000
Fax: 800-879-7000
Mike Morse
Associate Member Director
Losberger De Boer US
285 Bucheimer Rd # A
Frederick, MD 21701-3141
800-964-8368
Fax: 301-682-8005
Stephanie Ybarra-Alberti
Social Media Admin
United Rentals
6841 Leopard St
Corpus Christi, TX 78409-1703
361-241-0980
Fax: 361-241-1711
Matt Cosby
Social Media Admin
Peerless Events and Tents
7801 N Lamar Blvd Ste A126
Austin, TX 78744-3669
512-821-1994

The Fred Dupy TRA Ambassador Award

The award honors Frederick (Fred) Dupy’s service to the equipment and event rental industry, especially the Texas Rental Association (TRA). Fred, through his unique character and charisma, touched the lives and hearts of many. His passing in May of 2022 inspired the TRA board of directors to acknowledge his passion for the Texas rental industry through the creation of this award.

  • Who was Fred Dupy?

    He was the owner of American Party Rental ...

    He was the owner of American Party Rental in Austin, a family-owned business that opened in 1989.

    As a passionate contributor of his time, talents, and financial resources to the success and growth of the TRA, he was always willing to share his business knowledge. A trusted mentor to many.

    Fred was a generous contributor to the TRA, American Rental Association (ARA) scholarships and political action committee causes. He tirelessly advocated for rental business friendly governance at ARA’s National Legislative Caucus and TRA’s Legislative Day.

    For his years of service to the industry, Fred was named the TRA Person of the Year in 2013 and was awarded the ARA Distinguished Service Award in 2018.

  • About the Fred Dupy Award

    Recognize an individual who emulates ...

    • Purpose: Recognize an individual who emulates the characteristics of Fred Dupy and his service to TRA.
    • Frequency: This award will be presented to no more than one recipient per year when the merits of a nominee are approved. To preserve the high honor and prestige of this award, it may not be presented in consecutive years.
    • Eligibility: Past and present owners and staff from TRA rental store members within the state of Texas and ARA associate members/Independent Manufacturer Representatives (IMRs).
    • Award Ceremony: TRA's Annual Meeting at the Roundup, when applicable
    • Selection: The TRA board of directors will appoint a Selection Committee of at least five (5) individuals including at least one TRA board member. This committee will review nominations and present their recommendation to the TRA board of directors, who has final approval.

    Nominations are due by December 31.

Legislative Issues in Texas

  • Rent heavy equipment? Then property tax laws affect you!

    Did you know that Texas law, with ...

    Did you know that Texas law, with respect to the method of assessing and paying personal property tax on heavy equipment, changed in 2013. These documents provide a user's manual that explains who is subject to the tax, the definition of heavy equipment and the method for determining a business's tax rate, as well as instructions for collecting and remitting the Unit Property Tax required. As always, check with your tax professional to see how this law applies to your business.

  • Opinion in Sunstate Equipment Co., LLC vs. Glenn Hegar

    On April 3, 2020, the Texas Supreme ...

    On April 3, 2020, the Texas Supreme Court issued its opinion in Sunstate Equipment Co., LLC vs. Glenn Hegar, Comptroller of Public Accounts, et.al. This case involved Sunstate Equipment and the costs they deducted from their franchise tax assessments.

    The Court ruled against Sunstate, concluding that neither section 171.1012(k-1) nor section 171.1012(i) authorizes Sunstate to subtract as COGS any of its costs associated with the delivery and pick up of its rental equipment.

Questions? Contact Chuck Bailey, the American Rental Association/Texas Rental Association lobbyist, at 512-457-8687.

Get involved with current government national affairs

Scholarships

The continued success of the equipment and event rental industry depends on the future managers, employees, and manufacturers. TRA is proud to offer scholarships for continuing education every year.

Click here learn more about scholarship opportunities