Industry Loses Pioneer, Mentor

Lynn Pope

Memorial services were held March 5, 2005 for access industry pioneer Lynn Pope. The service, attended by family, friends and longtime business associates, was held in Chandler, Ariz., where Lynn only recently had relocated to from southern California.

In the 1970s, Lynn was instrumental in establishing the access rental business in California where he helped build American Hi-Lift into one of the first and largest aerial lift specialty sales and rental operations in the nation. Lynn then worked on the manufacturing side of the business—first at Mark Industries (now part of Terex) and then with Skyjack. More recently Lynn had begun doing volunteer work with the American Rental Association's Construction University, addressing the subject of sales practices and sales organization.

Many friends and family reflected on Lynn and the impact he had on their lives. Chris Fix of Hawkeye Rentals, Fontana, Calif., was especially grateful for the mentorship Lynn had provided him, stating that he would not be the successful businessman he was today if not for Lynn's guidance. No doubt, this is a sentiment that would be shared by many individuals now earning their livelihood in the access industry.

Lynn was 59 years old.