Sunstate Equipment CEO Norty Turner to Deliver Keynote During Working at Height Conference in Nashville

Sunstate Equipment CEO Norty Turner will headline the 2025 Working at Height Conference & Awards in Nashville, Tennessee, on October 15–16. Appointed earlier this year, Turner will share his perspective on “Transforming a Legacy Culture,” offering insights into leadership, innovation, and organizational evolution in the equipment rental and construction sectors.

“It’s a privilege to represent Sunstate at the 2025 Working at Height Conference and contribute to a dialogue on growth, innovation, and safety in our industry,” said Turner. “Events like this bring together the best minds in construction and equipment rental, and I look forward to both sharing insights and learning from my peers.”

The Working at Height Conference & Awards is an annual event co-organized by the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) and Access, Lift & Handlers magazine, which focuses on promoting safety and best practices in the use of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs).

The two-day conference is one of the best-attended events in the equipment rental industry and features panel discussions, and sessions on topics including safety, culture, equipment innovations, training technologies (like AI and VR), market insights, and rescue procedures. The event culminates in an awards dinner that celebrates excellence and innovation across various categories within the working-at-height industry. 

Turner will open the October 16 program with a keynote focused on the art of transformation. He will explore how a company with a strong legacy and deeply rooted culture can evolve to meet the demands of a changing industry while continuing to uphold the people-first values at the heart of its success. Turner will also share his framework for transformation—centered on alignment, accountability, and trust.

Turner is a leader in the equipment rental industry, with more than three decades of experience. In 1995, he began his career as a sales coordinator at Hertz Equipment Rental and advanced through the ranks to hold senior positions, including Vice President & General Manager of HERC EMEA, and concurrently as President of Hertz Equipment France.

In 2012, Turner became CEO of RIWAL, a Netherlands-based equipment rental company, where he successfully led the organization for more than six years. Upon returning to the U.S., he joined United Rentals as Senior Vice President of Services and Advanced Solutions, a role he held until 2022. Turner’s deep industry knowledge and proven leadership across diverse markets have positioned him well to guide Sunstate Equipment into its next phase of strategic growth.