East Hampton Resident Named President, CEO of SmartSource

SmartSource Computer and Audio Visual Rentals announced that earlier last week, East Hampton resident, Peter V. Handal will begin serving as its new President and Chief Executive Officer.

The Hauppauge-based company, founded by entrepreneur Julian Sandler, provides computer, audio visual (AV), and technology rental products to the trade show, professional conferences, and general technology market.

Before joining SmartSource, Handal worked as the Chairman and CEO of Dale Carnegie Training and was an existing member of the SmartSource Rentals Board of Directors.

“I am pleased to be joining SmartSource Rentals at this key time in the company’s history,” Handal said. “It is an honor to be appointed CEO by the Board. I am eager to get to know SmartSource team members and to work with them. I am confident that we will be a great team.”

Handal brings to his new role a proven track record as an accomplished CEO whose strategic leadership helped Dale Carnegie succeed in building a global brand with 300 offices in over 85 countries worldwide.

According to John Nestor, Senior Managing Partner of Kirtland Capital Partners, a leading private equity firm which acquired a majority interest in SmartSource Rentals in 2007, Handal has the “experience and skill set needed to fulfill our long-term vision for SmartSource Rentals.”

“Peter has a great deal of experience in strategic planning, which is very important for us going forward, Nestor said. “The founder, Julian Sandler, had a vision to take the company to a heightened level in sales and I am confident that Peter will take us to this next stage on a profitable basis.”

As for the first order of business as SmartSource Rentals’ new President and CEO, Handal said he plans to visit the company’s branch offices and become acquainted with staff and customers.

“I expect to be traveling to a lot of SmartSource’s 21 locations, getting to know our people, meeting with customers and attending various events,” Handal said. “We will, of course, be looking at today’s issues, as well as to the future, developing a forward-looking strategy which will position SmartSource Rentals for new and broader growth opportunities.”

Handal joined Dale Carnegie in 1999. In 2000, he was elected its President and in 2005, he was named Chairman.

In addition to his role as Chairman and CEO of Dale Carnegie Training, he has led several other businesses.

His positions include that as CEO of J4P Associates, a real estate concern in Baltimore, Maryland; former President of COWI International, a management consulting firm; CEO of a children’s apparel and accessories company marketing the “Just 4 Kids” brand, and as an executive with Exxon Corporation working in its Treasurer’s and New Investment Departments.

Handal has served as a Board Member of several publicly-owned and privately-owned companies.

In addition to Dale Carnegie Training, they include: Jos. A. Bank, Perry Ellis International, Wilsons Leather, Cole National Corporation, Cherokee, Buster Brown, W. Kruk and Deni Cler.

Handal holds a Bachelor of Arts from Georgetown University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago.

He currently lives in East Hampton with his wife, Patricia.

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