Moving and storage firm expands leadership team with four hires

Executives Susan Jacobs, Opal Perry, Salvador Salazar and Rich Schwartz join Clearwater-based PODS Enterprises.

By Business Observer Staff
| 11:00 a.m. October 12, 2021
| 2 Free Articles Remaining!

Courtesy. Former Hertz executive Opal Perry has joined Clearwater-based PODS Enterprises LLC.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

CLEARWATER — PODS Enterprises LLC, which owns and operates the PODS portable moving and storage brand, has hired four new executives: Susan Jacobs, Opal Perry, Salvador Salazar and Rich Schwartz.

Jacobs will serve as chief marketing officer. According to a press release, she previously served as senior vice president of marketing for a late-stage insurance technology startup.

Perry, the release states, has been named chief strategy and digital business development officer. She comes to Clearwater-based PODS from Hertz Global Holdings, where she worked as chief information officer and executive vice president.

Salazar, meanwhile, fills the role of senior vice president of sales and service. Like Perry, he’s a former Hertz executive, having served as senior vice president of operations at the Estero-based car-rental giant prior to joining PODS, according to the release. (PODS President and CEO Kathy Marinello was CEO of Hertz from December 2016 to May 2020, right before the company filed for bankruptcy.)

Lastly, Schwartz has been named senior vice president of corporate operations. His most recent role was vice president of engineering and corporate operations for Estes Express Lines Inc.

“I am thrilled to welcome Susan, Opal, Sal and Rich to the PODS family,” PODS President and CEO Kathy Marinello states in the release. “Susan is a highly adept and proven marketing leader, with an inspiring history of putting innovative and impactful ideas into practice. Opal will bring exceptional knowledge, business savvy and bold, forward-looking perspectives to our team."

Marinello adds, "Sal’s breadth of experience developing and implementing best-in-class operational and customer service strategies will make him an integral member of the organization. Rich is a proven business operations expert, and his leadership, perspectives and expertise will be deeply valuable to the company moving forward. PODS is fortunate to have these leaders on the team as we strive to exceed our customers’ expectations.”