Former owner of Godwin Pumps John Paz has made a return to the US rental market by joining aerial platform rental company Trico Lift as executive chairman of the board.

Trico Lift is based in New Jersey, where Godwin - now part of the ITT group - is also located. Mr Paz, who was already an investor in Trico, will provide "operational leadership and counsel" to the company's management team, said Trico.

At the same time, Trico Lift has appointed Chris Carmolingo, an 18-year Trico veteran, to the newly created position of chief operating officer, supporting existing Trico president and chief executive officer Ken Pustizzi. Mr Carmolingo was previously executive vice president.

"In his new role, Chris will focus on maintaining Trico Lift's operational and customer service excellence standards as we expand in Texas, integrate the acquisition of Modern Group's aerial lift assets and grow our market share in the Mid-Atlantic region," said Mr Pustizzi.

Mr Paz, meanwhile, will bring considerable experience gained while at Godwin, where he created the largest pump rental business in the world (with revenues in the US of between US$70 and 100 million) and developed the operation internationally.

Mr Pustizzi said; "Having worked with Chris Carmolingo for nearly two decades and watched John Paz build Godwin Pumps into a world class company, it is a tribute to Trico Lift's historical performance and future opportunities that they are willing to assume these new roles to support our expected growth."

He said the aim was to make Trico Lift "the premier aerial lift company in its geographic footprint". The company, which has a fleet or 4000 aerial platforms and telehandlers, is one of the top 15 aerial platform rental companies in North America and features in Access International magazine's top 50 access rental list.

John Paz, who sold Godwin to ITT for US$585 million in June 2010, said he was a "long-time advocate and supporter of Trico Lift" and was pleased to help it become "the best provider in the industry".