Avis Budget Group Inc. today announced that its board of directors has appointed Joe Ferraro, who has been serving as interim chief executive officer, as CEO, effective immediately.

Ferraro assumed the role of interim chief executive officer of Avis Budget Group at the start of 2020. Ferraro, a long-time Avis Budget executive, most recently spent five years as president of the Americas division, where he was responsible for the company’s Avis, Budget, Payless, and Zipcar brands in North and South America, including Latin America and the Caribbean.

Mr. Ferraro was previously senior vice president of operations, North America, where he oversaw all Avis and Budget car and truck rental operations in the United States and Canada, including airport and local market locations. He has more than 30 years of experience with Avis Budget Group, holding various positions of increasing responsibility.

“I’m honored to serve as the CEO of Avis Budget Group, a company where I have spent most of my career, and I deeply appreciate the trust the Board and my colleagues have placed in me,” said Ferraro in a statement.

“Over the past few months, our ability to act quickly to reposition the business for success is a testament to the outstanding work and dedication of all our employees. I am confident we have the team and tools to provide our customers with innovative, safe and quality service as the travel industry begins to reopen.”

The company also announced that Bernardo Hees, who has been serving as independent chairman of the board, has been named executive chairman. Hees will partner closely with Ferraro and the rest of the management team in the areas of strategy, finance, and digital mobility initiatives to help drive the performance of the company.

Hees said in the statement: “The board of directors is pleased to appoint Joe as our new chief executive officer. As interim CEO, Joe has demonstrated an unparalleled ability to lead the organization and inspire his colleagues in the face of unprecedented challenges to our business.”

“Joe’s collaborative leadership style and decisive strategic actions, including right-sizing our business to meet current demand, strengthening our balance sheet, and inspiring our team, have enabled Avis Budget Group to confront the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic while continuing to innovate and serve our customers. I look forward to continuing to partner with Joe to position the company for long-term performance.”