WesternOne Equity Income Fund announces COO

July 19, 2010 – WesternOne Equity Income Fund has announced the appointment of Geoff Shorten to the position of Chief Operating Officer. Shorten joined WesternOne Equity on February 19, 2008 in conjunction with WesternOne Equity's acquisition of Deerfoot Equipment Rentals located in Calgary, Alberta.
 
Prior to the acquisition, Shorten was one of two owners of the private equipment rental organization, operating as a Volvo Rents franchisee. Post-acquisition Shorten elected to remain with WesternOne Equity as President, Alberta Platform.

In June 2008, Geoff Shorten expanded the WEQ Deerfoot Equipment Rentals' Calgary operations into Lethbridge, Alberta, and was instrumental in completing WesternOne Equity's recent acquisitions, including SureFire Propane Ltd. and Davis Heater Service Ltd., (an equipment rental, construction heat and propane distribution business with locations in Edmonton and Calgary, acquired in October 2008) and On*Site Equipment, (an aerial and material-handling equipment rentals business with its head office in Calgary and branches in Lethbridge, Red Deer and Edmonton).

More recently Shorten assumed additional responsibilities for Corporate IT, Strategy, and HR.

Commenting on the appointment, Darren Latoski, Chief Executive Officer of WesternOne Equity said, "I am very pleased to appoint Geoff Shorten to the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer. During his tenure with the company, Geoff has provided tremendous leadership and the operating companies under his responsibility have delivered strong sales and earnings despite the recent downturn. The broadened responsibilities will allow Geoff to continue with efforts to integrate and align the operations of the Company, and in turn improve the overall financial performance and enhance shareholder value, as we look to expand our presence in the equipment rental and fuel distribution industries in Western Canada."