Avis Budget Announces New CEO
Avis Budget Group Inc.'s Board of Directors has selected Larry D. De Shon as the company's next chief executive officer, succeeding Ronald L. Nelson. De Shon will assume the role as of Jan. 1, 2016.

Larry De Shon was the keynote speaker at the 2011 Car Rental Show.

Larry De Shon was the keynote speaker at the 2011 Car Rental Show.
Avis Budget Group Inc.'s Board of Directors has selected Larry D. De Shon as the company's next chief executive officer, succeeding Ronald L. Nelson, who has held the position since 2006.
De Shon, the company's president, International, will become president and CEO effective Oct. 1, 2015 and will assume the role of CEO on Jan. 1, 2016. He has also been appointed to the Board, effective Oct. 1, according to the company.
Nelson, who became chairman of the board of Avis Budget Group in 2006, will continue as executive chairman.
De Shon joined Avis Budget in 2006 and has previously overseen Avis Budget's Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and U.S. operations. Prior to joining Avis Budget, he had a 28-year career at United Airlines.
"The opportunity to lead Avis Budget Group is a tremendous honor,” said De Shon. “I look forward to continue working with David and the entire senior leadership team to engage our exceptional employees and produce results for all stakeholders."
Avis Budget’s senior executive vice president and chief financial officer, David B. Wyshner, will become the company's president, effective Jan. 1, 2016. In his new role, Wyshner will assume global responsibility for the company's strategy, licensing and integration of the demand/fleet/pricing system — in addition to his current responsibilities as chief financial officer, according to the company.
"Larry and David have an extremely strong track record of producing results and are eminently qualified for their new positions,” said Nelson. “We have worked diligently with the Board over the past several years to successfully develop and prepare them for their new roles. … ”
More Rental Operations

The Booking Is Confirmed, But Is Your Customer Ready to Drive?
For international renters, a confirmed reservation doesn’t always mean they’re eligible to drive. Earlier checks can help operators catch documentation and payment issues before the customer reaches the counter.
Read More →
ICRS 2027 Opens Call for Papers
The International Car Rental Show seeks session proposals on the business, operational, and technology issues facing car rental operators. Submissions are due Jan. 15.
Read More →
Turo to Launch Vehicle Delivery Service
Turo Delivered will let travelers search for vehicles that hosts can deliver directly to hotels, homes, airports, train stations, and other locations.
Read More →
Palm Beach Airport Code Change Creates Car Rental Distribution Gap
A test of rental searches under the old PBI and new DJT airport codes returned largely different sets of brands and vehicles, highlighting a potential distribution problem for rental operators.
Read More →
U-Save Continues Dominican Republic Expansion with Launch in Punta Cana
The new franchise location builds on U-Save’s existing Santo Domingo operation and will begin taking reservations for October 2026.
Read More →
When AI Books the Rental Car, Who Controls the Sale?
As AI moves from comparing rental rates to completing transactions, operators need to understand how travelers find, interpret, rank, and ultimately see their offers. (Part 2 of 2.)
Read More →
European Booked Car Rental Rates Fell 5%, Results Varied by Country
Ireland, Cyprus, and the United Kingdom saw steep declines, while booked rates rose in Poland and Hungary.
Read More →Is It Time to Rethink Rental Categories?
As traditional economy and compact cars disappear from the market, longtime rental operator Mike DeLorenzo asks whether the industry’s familiar vehicle categories still make sense — and what operators need to rethink along with them.
Read More →
Who Owns the Rate? AI Is Creating a New Distribution Problem for Car Rental
Generative Engine Optimization asks whether AI can find a rental company, but operators also need to know whether the agent inspected enough of the market, compared equivalent offers, and presented a rate the traveler can actually book. (Part 1 of 2)
Read More →
U.S. Business Travel Car Rental Rates Forecast to Rise Up to 2%
Improved fleet supply should limit pricing gains in 2026-27, while insurance, repair costs, and softer residual values continue to pressure rental operations, according to Amex GBT.
Read More →
