An Idea Sparks a Legacy: Rob Troxel and Adriene Horn Introduce PTR in Utilities

Rob Troxel has been a notable name in the utility industry for quite some time.

Before PTR was established, his experience was shaped in the field, where he learned equipment, operations and customer needs firsthand. That foundation, built on a service mindset and strong customer relationships, continues to influence how PTR approaches fleet solutions today.

Learning the industry from the ground up

Fresh out of high school, Rob Troxel decided college was not the path he wanted to take. Instead, he went to work alongside his father, Bob Troxel, and brother, Jason Troxel. Together, they secured a used auto dealer license and began traveling to auctions across the country.

With an eye for specialty equipment, what started as a small operation quickly evolved. That early focus led the Troxel family into the utility industry, where they began building experience around the equipment and the work it supports.

In the early 1990s, the Troxels partnered with Gene Glover to form Nesco, a used utility equipment dealership. Operating out of a building next to Gene’s home, they steadily grew the business, expanding inventory and building relationships across the industry. As demand increased, so did their reach, eventually supporting customers nationwide through rental.

“With the conception of Nesco in the 1990s, Rob Troxel changed the model of how sales and rental in our industry operated. His ideas benefited customers as well as manufacturers for the better.”
— Wade Hogg, Owner, Hogg and Davis

Built as a family business

While Rob Troxel and his father, Bob Troxel, led sales and daily operations, his brother, Jason Troxel, oversaw the service side of the business.

From early on, it was a true family effort. Rob’s daughters grew up around the industry, gaining firsthand exposure to the work and the people behind it. Over time, that involvement deepened. His son-in-law, Jameson Ringger, stepped into a leadership role, and his daughter, Adriene Horn, contributed to the marketing team.

As the business grew, so did the responsibilities. Rob took on an increasing leadership role during a critical period of expansion, helping guide the company as it added team members and equipment to support a growing customer base.

That experience reinforced a service mindset and a commitment to building long-term customer relationships, values that continue to shape how PTR operates today.

Building PTR with intention

After selling Nesco, Rob Troxel brought forward more than industry experience. He carried a clear perspective on what worked, what created friction and where fleet solutions could better support customers in the field.

In 2014, Rob and his daughter, Adriene Horn, founded PTR with a focused vision. Deliver customized, ready-to-work truck and trailer rentals designed to align with the pace and demands of real-world operations.

What began as a small, family-driven effort quickly expanded into a company defined by steady growth, strong customer relationships and a service-first approach. PTR grew its fleet, added locations and built a team with deep industry experience, including many who had worked alongside the Troxel family for years.

That company growth was intentional. The goal was not just to scale, but to build a company that stayed close to the customer, responsive to changing job-site needs and grounded in the realities of field operations.

PTR today

Today, PTR supports customers across industries with fleet solutions designed for real-world conditions.
From work trucks and trailers to custom upfits and ongoing fleet support, the focus remains the same.

Deliver equipment that aligns with how work actually happens in the field, whether that means scaling quickly, adapting to changing job-site demands or keeping crews moving without disruption.

The experience that shaped PTR continues to guide it, with a service mindset built on strong customer relationships, responsiveness and an understanding of the realities of the work. 

“In large part thanks to the legacy built at Nesco, PTR has had an amazing launch pad. I’m proud to continue this legacy with PTR.”
— Adriene Horn, Co-founder and Co-chair

That foundation allows PTR to support customers not just with equipment, but with fleet solutions built to perform in the field.