Durante Equipment, South Florida’s newest equipment rental company, announced the hiring of three new additions. Ray Delsalto comes aboard as rental coordinator, Chris Latham operations manager and Rich Montalvo as service manager. The three have more than 40 years collective experience including driving, fleet & customer service, rentals, sales and operations. These new hires bring valuable aspects to help Durante Equipment as the new company starts servicing South Florida.
“It is not easy opening a new business from scratch,” said owner John Durante. “I feel fortunate to have found three experienced, hardworking individuals who really go above and beyond every day to help bring my new dream to reality!”
Delsalto, Durante’s lead rental coordinator, is a veteran of the construction rental industry with more than 20 years of experience. Delsalto started his career in 2001 as a counter representative at Sunbelt Rentals. He went on to outside sales, then dispatcher, safety coordinator, assistant manager to operations manager.
“I am excited to be part of such an energetic new company led by someone with a passion for the industry that John Durante brings each and every day,” said Delsalto. “It is exciting to be a part of something growing so fast. My hope is that my experience can help lead Durante Equipment to be the most reliable and most trusted rental company in South Florida.”
Latham, operations manager, spent the first part of his career as a corrections officer in New York City before becoming a CDL A driver. Latham spent six years at Sunbelt Rentals, starting as a driver before becoming service manager. Latham brings to Durante his years of logistics, service and transportation experience within and outside the rental equipment industry. Now working with Durante in operations, Latham brings his years of knowledge to help ensure the company operates in a smart, proactive, safe environment.
“I firmly believe Durante Equipment has what it takes, and I look forward to utilizing my experience to keep our operations moving forward,” said Latham. “We want to make sure our customers are more than just serviced; we want them satisfied!”
Montalvo, service manager, has previous experience in fleet service, parts, rentals, sales and customer service in the construction industry. Montalvo first began his career in the industry with American Equipment and A & H Heavy Equipment working in parts, sales and customer service management. He later went on to spend time with H&E Equipment Services, Bobcat and Synergy Equipment. Besides his 14 years’ experience in the construction equipment rental industry, Montalvo started his construction career in New York City in the 1980’s working in construction labor, brick, plumbing, and power lines. In the 1990s, Montalvo was a maintenance manager at Sony Music (Sony Wonder).
“Real old fashioned, mom and pop, customer service in our industry has all but disappeared,” said Montalvo. “My ambition is to work with John and our team at Durante to bring back this old school service to the equipment rental industry here in Florida. We want to make sure we serve our customers to the best extent possible.”
Montalvo also believes in giving back to his community, which he does by serving as a volunteer firefighter.
