PARSIPPANY, N.J. -- Cendant Car Rental Group announced it has named Gerald Riordan president of Budget Truck Rental.

Riordan brings more than 25 years of experience in the truck rental business, having risen through the ranks of Ryder System from 1972 through 1997. He held various marketing, pricing and operations positions before serving as president of Ryder Consumer Truck Rental from 1993 to 1996.

Riordan had the added responsibility of serving as president of Ryder Public Transportation Services from 1995 to 1996, and president and COO of Ryder TRS from 1996 to 1997. Budget Group purchased Ryder TRS in 1998. Since 1999, Riordan has served as CEO of United Road Services, a towing and transport service company.

"When we acquired Budget, we recognized that its truck business is very different from the rental car business and set out to bring in a top-notch truck executive to evaluate and lead Budget Truck Rental," said Robert Salerno, president and COO of the Cendant Car Rental Group. "In Jerry Riordan we have found the ideal leader. He is steeped in knowledge and success in the truck rental business and will help us manage the business profitably.

More than 2,750 Budget locations and dealers either rent trucks exclusively or rent both cars and trucks. The Budget fleet currently includes about 32,000 trucks.