De Shon to Step Down at Avis Budget Group
De Shon will remain CEO and president until a successor has been named.
Larry De Shon is stepping down after a 13-year career with the company.
Courtesy of Avis Budget Group.
Avis Budget Group, Inc. today announced the planned departure of President and Chief Executive Officer Larry De Shon after a 13-year career with the company, Avis Budget announced today. De Shon will remain in his current positions until his successor has been named and will continue to be employed by the Company until the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition.
The Board has formed a CEO search committee led by Director Lynn Krominga, chair of the Corporate Governance Committee.
Leonard S. Coleman, chairman of the board, stated: “On behalf of the Board and the entire team, I’d like to thank Larry for the many contributions he has made to Avis Budget Group since he joined the Company in 2006, and for his exceptional leadership as CEO for the last four years. Larry has played an instrumental role in positioning Avis Budget for the future of mobility, while navigating through unprecedented industry challenges. Together with our outstanding management team, Larry has built a strong foundation for growth and continued success. We are pleased that we will continue to have access to Larry’s insights.”
“Throughout all of my years with Avis Budget Group, I have been continuously inspired by the talent, performance and dedication of my colleagues across the globe and their steadfast commitment to the Company’s mission of delivering excellent service and innovative solutions for our customers,” said Larry De Shon. “I appreciate the support of the Board, my management team, and our employees during my time as CEO, and I am confident Avis Budget Group is well positioned to continue building on its momentum and driving growth for years to come.”
Before becoming president and CEO, De Shon was Avis Budget Group’s president, international and had 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.
During his leadership tenure, De Shon oversaw Avis Budget Group’s technology initiatives such as piloting the company’s Mobility Lab in Kansas City and the connection of the company’s entire global fleet by 2020.
De Shon delivered the keynote address at the 2011 International Car Rental Show.
More Rental Operations
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →