ST. LOUIS — The world’s largest car rental company, Enterprise Holdings Inc., has announced the promotion of Christine Taylor to President and Chief Operating Officer.
The move makes the senior executive – along with Carolyn Kindle Betz, promoted to President of the Enterprise Holdings Foundation – among the highest-ranking women in the global car rental, automotive and travel industries.
The promotions also mark another milestone for the rising third generation of family ownership of the company, which owns the Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands.
Jack Taylor founded the company in 1957 with only seven vehicles, later naming it after the World War II aircraft carrier he served on, the USS Enterprise.
These days, with annual revenues of $24.1 billion and 100,000 employees, Enterprise Holdings and its affiliates own two million cars and trucks and operates – through an international network of regional subsidiaries and independent franchises – more than 10,000 fully staffed neighborhood and airport locations in more than 90 countries throughout the world.
“It’s fitting that these two talented women – granddaughters of our company’s founder, Jack Taylor – are moving up together as members of our senior leadership team,” said CEO Pam Nicholson. “Under Chrissy’s guidance, Enterprise has continued year after year to deliver record-breaking growth and business performance, while staying true to the values of customer service and workplace excellence that Jack instilled in our company. Concurrently, Carolyn has continued to play a key role in developing our philanthropic strategies and ensuring that we are an engaged and responsible corporate citizen in the communities where we do business.”
Taylor previously was the company’s Executive Vice President and COO, a position she assumed in 2016. In her new role she will direct the company’s global business operations and oversee its product development and technology innovation efforts. She will continue to serve as a member of the corporate board of Enterprise Holdings Inc. and will report to Nicholson.
Kindle Betz meanwhile was previously Senior Vice President and Executive Director of the Enterprise Holdings Foundation, which contributed more than $50 million in charitable gifts to a wide variety of nonprofit causes in the company’s most recent fiscal year. As President, she will develop and oversee execution of the Foundation’s philanthropic strategies.
“These are both enthusiastic, energetic leaders,” says Nicholson. “When you look at Chrissy’s competitive drive and passion for innovation and Carolyn’s strong commitment to help our company make a difference in the world, you see the brand of leadership that will take Enterprise to the next level. And you see, as well, living proof that strong family ownership is a powerful competitive edge. Enterprise’s future is in very good hands.”
