Auto Rental News
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Avis Budget Group Realigns Upper Level Executives

Three company leaders take on new roles and titles starting Jan. 1, 2024 as the rental car giant looks toward enhancing its operations.

Avis Budget Group Realigns Upper Level Executives

Brian Choi, Izzy Martins, and Jagdeep Pahwa all take on new titles and posts in the company as of Jan. 1.

Photos: Avis / Graphic: Bobit

2 min to read


Avis Budget Group, Inc. recently announced two new executive appointments marking a big change to its leadership team.

Starting January 1, 2024, Izzy Martins, serving as executive vice president of the Americas, will assume the role of EVP and chief financial officer, succeeding Brian Choi, who will take on the new position of EVP and chief transformation officer.

Ad Loading...

Martins has been with Avis Budget Group for nearly 20 years in various senior strategic and financial roles, including CFO, Americas, chief accounting officer, and most recently EVP of the Americas, where she obtained a wealth of operational expertise through her responsibilities for the region.

Choi’s appointment as EVP and chief transformation officer involves leveraging data, analytics, and cutting-edge technology to enhance the customer experience, revenue management, and overall operational performance. Choi has served as the company’s EVP and CFO since August 2020.

“Izzy’s deep financial acumen coupled with her operational expertise will ensure a seamless transition into the CFO role,” said Joe Ferraro, CEO of Avis Budget Groupx, in a news release. “She is a key strategic partner to me, the board, and the leadership team, and has been instrumental to our success over the years.

“Brian’s thought leadership in identifying strategies to position our business for growth and profitability has led to the creation of our transformation function. I asked Brian to lead these efforts as part of his evolving responsibilities.”

In addition, effective immediately following the 2024 annual meeting, Jagdeep Pahwa, currently Vice Chairman of the Board, will become Chairman replacing Bernardo Hees.

Ad Loading...

Hees will continue to be a member of the company’s Board of Directors.

Pahwa has been a director since April 2018 and Vice Chairman since 2020. Pahwa serves as President of SRS Investment Management. Hees has been a director since February 2020 and Executive Chairman since July 2020.

“I could not be more pleased with the company’s performance under the leadership of Ferraro and this board over the past four years,” Hees said. “The success achieved through our focused strategy, aligned organization structure, and excellence in execution makes this a natural time for me to transition from Executive Chairman to a member of the board. I have worked closely with Jagdeep and am confident that the company will continue its strong performance under his guidance.”

More Rental Operations

Sixt H1 financial results
Rental Operationsby StaffAugust 14, 2026

Sixt Revenue Tops $2.4 Billion in First Half of 2026

Sixt’s first-half revenue surpassed $2.4 billion for the first time as demand outpaced fleet growth, lifting utilization and earnings despite weaker consumer sentiment in North America.

Read More →
Bobby Klyce in memoriam image
Rental Operationsby Chris BrownAugust 13, 2026

In Memoriam: Bobby Klyce, Avis Licensee Legend

The longtime Birmingham Avis operator and 2018 Auto Rental News Impact Award recipient was remembered as an advocate for independent licensees and the broader car rental industry.

Read More →
Vibe coding webinar promo image
Rental Operationsby StaffAugust 12, 2026

How to Build Custom Fleet Tools With AI and Vibe Coding [Webinar]

A new Automotive Fleet webinar explores how fleet managers are using AI and vibe coding to automate routine work and create simple operational tools without traditional programming skills.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Globe image with Text: GBTA Business Travel Forecast

Car Rental Rates Forecast to Rise 3.6% in 2026 Before Easing in 2027

Car rental rates are projected to rise less than airfares and hotel rates in 2026, then become the only major travel category forecast to decline in 2027, according to projections from GBTA and ALTOUR.

Read More →
Car rental sign with financial graph in background
Rental Operationsby Chris BrownAugust 2, 2026

Avis Cuts Fleet as Summer Demand Trails Expectations

Avis Budget Group increased second-quarter earnings despite lower Americas revenue and softer-than-expected summer demand. The company also expanded Avis First and advanced its autonomous fleet operations with Waymo.

Read More →
car rental booking engine on computer screen with text: Bookings aren't the whole story
Rental OperationsAugust 1, 2026

Why Bookings Are Only the Start of the Rental Day

A reservation captures demand. The operating test is whether the business can keep the customer, vehicle, commercial terms, and next action aligned until the rental is closed.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Rental Operationsby Chris BrownJuly 31, 2026

This Is the Oldest Car Rental Advertisement You’ll Ever See

This ad for Saunders Drive it Yourself, believed to be the first car rental company in the U.S., was found in an Omaha phone book from 1926.

Read More →
A counter agent chats with a customer over a rental counter
Rental OperationsJuly 21, 2026

The Desk Upsell Is Costing Operators More Than it Earns

Counter upsells generate revenue, but they can also slow transactions, erode trust, and cost repeat business. Fully inclusive pricing may offer operators a better path to long-term value.

Read More →
U-Save Mauritius team

U-Save Expands Indian Ocean Presence with New Master Franchise for Mauritius

The franchise has been acquired by Mauritian travel entrepreneur Umarfarooq Omarjee, an established figure in the island's tourism and mobility sector.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Back view of a remote driver in front of a screen delivering a car to a location.

Global Carsharing Fleet Projected to Reach 768,000 Vehicles By 2030

A new Berg Insight forecast outlines several business models driving the projected growth in public carsharing worldwide through 2029.

Read More →
Ad Loading...