Shawn Odden Named President of U-Haul Company of Fargo

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Mar 19, 2010, 04:33 ET

FARGO, N.D., March 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The U-Haul Company of Fargo today announced the promotion of Shawn Odden to president. Odden brings more than five years of U-Haul experience to his new position, where he will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the company, including truck, trailer and storage rentals.

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A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.uhaul.com/about/pr_images.aspx?name=ShawnOdden

Odden began his U-Haul career in July 2004 as a customer service representative (CSR) for the St. Paul U-Haul Center (729-052). Shortly thereafter, Odden became an area field manager (AFM) for UHC of Minnesota (Co. 729-004), the position he held for several years before being promoted to traffic control manager (TCM) for that company in September 2008. Odden's leadership skills certainly will drive his new team to success.

"Shawn is an eager-to-learn, hardworking team member and I am looking forward to seeing what he will do with his knowledge and determination while leading this company," exclaimed Area District Vice President (ADVP) Zachary Stokes. "I'm very proud of what Shawn has accomplished and look forward to working with him."

While in charge of U-Haul operations for Fargo, Odden promises to use strengths from his background in traffic to help improve distribution within his vast marketing company, ultimately leading to increased customer service, and higher U-Move and U-Box gross and overall transactions. Odden stressed that one of his biggest challenges as MCP for UHC of Fargo is going to be the size of the marketing company, as it encompasses North Dakota, South Dakota, one-third of Minnesota and part of Wyoming. He plans to achieve success through better use of electronic traffic tools and implementing rate strategies that will keep inventory where his customers demand it be. In assuming his role as president, Odden is most excited about getting back into the field and working directly with the front line.

"Although I've worked for the company only for 5 1/2 years, I've been given the opportunity to work closely with great team members who have given me the guidance that it takes to be successful," Odden stressed. "Through hard work and determination, nothing can stop you! I am excited about getting out and meeting my team."

About U-Haul

Since 1945, U-Haul has been the best choice for the do-it-yourself mover, with a network of more than 15,800 locations in all 50 United States and 10 Canadian provinces. U-Haul customers' patronage has enabled the U-Haul fleet to grow to approximately 101,000 trucks, 76,000 trailers and 34,000 towing devices. U-Haul offers more than 395,000 rooms and approximately 35 million square feet of storage space at nearly 1,090 owned and managed facilities throughout North America. U-Haul is the consumer's number one choice as the largest installer of permanent trailer hitches in the automotive aftermarket industry. As one of the nation's largest retailers of propane, U-Haul supplies alternative-fuel for vehicles and backyard barbecues.

U-Haul was founded by a Navy veteran who grew up during the Great Depression. Tires and gas were still rationed or in short supply during the late 1940s when U-Haul began serving U.S. customers. Today, that background is central to the U-Haul Sustainability Program: "Serving the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Our commitment to reduce, reuse and recycle includes fuel efficient moving vans, neighborhood proximity, moving-box reuse, moving pads made from discarded material, and packing peanuts that are 100 percent biodegradable. Learn more about these facts and others at www.uhaul.com/sustainability.