Gartland/Blackwell Memorial Award
This annual award honors the memories of two individuals who have contributed to the success of CRA and whose memories will not be forgotten. James Gartland was the founder of the industry publication Rental Equipment Register (RER). Each year he would help recognize the "Rentalman of the Year" and the CRA continues that tradition by acknowledging men and women who embody the qualities Jim himself demonstrated - respect, vision and leadership.
Dale Blackwell served CRA as President and Executive Director. He was the owner of Aba Daba Rents. With Dale’s exceptional leadership, personal integrity and positive attitude CRA continues to be an influential organization in the rental industry. His positive personality perpetuated the rental industry and helped to promote the high professional standards found in the rental industry.
Dale Blackwell served CRA as President and Executive Director. He was the owner of Aba Daba Rents. With Dale’s exceptional leadership, personal integrity and positive attitude CRA continues to be an influential organization in the rental industry. His positive personality perpetuated the rental industry and helped to promote the high professional standards found in the rental industry.
The Rental Man of the Year Award was presented
from 1964-1979
| 1964 - Joe Ewing | 1972 - Bill Cushing |
| 1965 - Bob Irving | 1973 - Jack Wanamaker |
| 1966 - Jack Decker | 1974 - Palmer Grasse |
| 1967 - Bob Grasse | 1975 - Bill Berman |
| 1968 - Sam Greenburg | 1976 - Ron Irvin |
| 1969 - Bill Grasse | 1977 - Ted de Vries |
| 1970 - Ross Neesley | 1978 - Dale Muesborn |
| 1971 - Ellen & Harry Clason | 1979 - Chuck Aarons |
The James Gartland Award was presented from
1980-2019
| 1980 - Joe Novak | 1999 - Irving Levine |
| 1981 - Joe Doran | 2000 - Irwin R Scott |
| 1982 - Howard Burnett | 2001 - Chuck Maltese |
| 1983 - Joe Wiest | 2002 - Les Chayo |
| 1984 - Dick Hill | 2003 - Larry Pedersen |
| 1985 - Bud Loeber | 2004 - Russ Meek |
| 1986 - June Harvey | 2005 - Dennis Wells |
| 1987 - Tom Carolan | 2007 - Brian Maginnis |
| 1988 - Lynn Talbot | 2010 - Vicky Blackwell |
| 1989 - Bob Phares | 2011 - Jim Woodward |
| 1990 - Bill Bryant | 2012 - Jim Jenkins |
| 1991 - Paul Powers | 2013 - Robert Pedersen |
| 1992 - Van Dossey | 2014 - David Dworschak |
| 1993 - Lynda Bradley | 2015 - Patricia Sarris |
| 1994 - Dale Blackwell | 2016 - Richard Briggs |
| 1995 - Tim Novoselski | 2017 - Doug Strom |
| 1996 - Tony Beringer | 2018 - Alex DuBose |
| 1997 - Bob DuBose | 2019 - Jeff Roberts |
| 1998 - Dennis Turner |
The James Gartland Award was changed to The Gartland/Blackwell Memorial Award in 2021.
| 2021 - Mitch Gutierrez | |
| 2022 - Glenn Phares | |
| 2023 - Rusty Parr | |
| 2023 - Janice Petersen | |