At Durants our team of party and event professionals are working behind the scenes preparing for your successful event. As you will read in the bios below, Durants is comprised of seasoned event professionals. For example, we have a former chef, three former caterers, two florists, four event planners, and several entrepreneurs. We work together to create an event that is sure to exceed your expectations.
Glenn was born and raised in the Hudson Valley of New York. The Lois family has owned and operated one of the largest rental store chains in the United States for over 30 years. He acquired Durants in the early '90s and has since expanded the company five times in multiple states. Glenn's goal is to provide clients with the highest quality equipment and service available with real value and have the company continue to grow and thrive in the years to come.
Susan is a SUNY New Paltz graduate and has worked with Durants as their Controller/CFO for over a decade. Her past experiences have been in public accounting, corporate, governmental, and non-profit agencies. Susan enjoys working with every facet of the business and supports the Durants team and our customers. Susan strongly believes it is essential to give back to her surrounding community. She is presently serving as VP and Treasurer of Walden Reformed Church, past President, and currently a member of the CRVI board—a non-profit in the Rockland, Orange, and Ulster counties. CRVI is a vibrant community, working and serving those living with disabilities. Providing services and support to enable them to live a more enjoyable, independent life. www.crvi.org
Barbara is our General Manager at Durant's. Her 30-plus years of experience in event planning and catering have served her clientele well. As an active member of the Hudson Valley community, Barbara has chaired countless events where she established many lasting relationships. Barbara was the former owner & operator of an event coordinating and catering business called "Hands For Hire." This background affords Barbara an intimate knowledge of all phases of the event industry.
Bladi Durant's manager of the Danbury location. Bladi has been part of the Durants team since 1999, joining as a warehouse worker. Through his never-ending drive for advancement, he became the manager of our tent department. Bladi's enthusiasm has been a driving force in the overall expansion of our tent department. Bladi has honed his leadership skills, knowledge, and professionalism, delivering top-quality results for our customers. He is thoughtful, kind, detail-oriented, and has a friendly, reassuring manner, liked by all.
Callie has been with Durants since 2015 and has worked in multiple locations. She is the sales correspondence for our Danbury location. Before joining the Durants team, she gained experience working in the hospitality industry for over six years. Callie is currently working on her Certified Event Rental Professional certification.
Shayna has been with Durants since 2013. She is one of our Senior Consultants. It's her pleasure to make your vision a reality with a fresh, creative approach to your event. That creativity, combined with her natural ability with customer service, gives her the skills to make lasting memories for all her clients. She enjoys putting a smile on our clients' faces by turning their visions into reality, which she lives for. It's just simply gratifying. Currently, she is working on getting her Certified Event Rental Professional certification.
Lynne joined the Durants team in 2016. She graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, and has experience in hospitality for over 35 years. Lynne's experience includes restaurants and hotels. She has worked in New York, Texas, Delaware, and Connecticut. She has gained knowledge in both the front and back of the house. She is very familiar with the workings of a kitchen, waitstaff, and working significant events for 300-plus people. Working at Durant's, she brings that background with her. Lynne is committed to helping people with their needs for their occasions, from graduations to small weddings, and assists the caterers in their requests for a successful event. Lynne currently lives in the Hudson Valley with her family.
Liz was introduced to the event industry and joined the Durants Team in 2019. After several years in food service, she explored options allowing her to work daytime hours. Liz has worked in the hospitality field for over 12 years. She strives to maintain a strong work ethic. Currently, she is working on getting her Certified Event Rental Professional certification.
Colleen joined the Durant's Team in 2021. She graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in Hospitality Management and has worked at hotels and retail stores in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Ohio. Colleen began Synchronized Swimming at three years old, which has taught her to have an eye for detail. Currently, she is working on getting her Certified Event Rental Professional certification.
