F. Robert Salerno P’06

President and Chief Operating Officer (Retired)
Avis Budget Group
Parsippany, New Jersey

Salerno is the retired president and chief operating officer of the Avis Budget Group, one of the largest general-use car rental operators in the United States and an industry leader in the car rental sector worldwide. When Cendant Corporation divided its operations into four independent, publicly-traded companies, the Cendant Car Rental Group, Inc. evolved into a new company, the Avis Budget Group. 

This new company brings together two of the most recognized brands in the car rental industry -- Avis, a leading supplier to the business travel segment, and Budget, a top brand in the leisure travel market. Combined the two brands have an extended global reach that includes over 6,600 car and truck rental locations in the Americas, Australia, New Zealand and the Caribbean.

Since 2003, Salerno had served as president and chief executive officer of the Cendant Car Rental Group, Inc., the operator of Avis Rent A Car System, Inc. and Budget Rent A Car System, Inc. Previously, he was the president and chief operating officer of the Cendant Car Rental Group, Inc. following its acquisition of Budget Car Rental System, Inc. in November 2002. 

Prior to his Cendant appointment, Salerno headed the company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Avis Rent A Car System, Inc. as president and chief operating officer since 1996. He served as Avis' executive vice president of operations in 1995, and from 1990 as senior vice president and general manager. He was appointed vice president of field operations in 1987.

A native of Springfield, Mass., Salerno earned his A.B. degree in psychology/chemistry from Marquette University in 1972. A member of the President’s Council at Stonehill, he is a member of “Attaining the Summit: The Campaign for Stonehill College.”

He was elected a Stonehill trustee in spring 2003.