Rent-to-own News - Aaron's, APRO to bring 2,000 to Capitol Hill

Bill Keese, Beth Gibbs, "Tiger" John Cleek, Mike Hickey and John Cleek Jr. at Aaron's Corporate headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, Thursday.

Aaron Rents announced today it is getting behind APRO's grassroots legislative initiative in a big way.

The world's second largest rent-to-own company is dedicating a day from its annual managers meeting along with 2,000 managers, franchise owners, divisional vice presidents, corporate staff and vendors to tell the RTO story to Congress April 14.

In coordination with APRO, which will manage the historic gathering and provide full scheduling and training support, Aaron's will head to Capitol Hill in support of The Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act which will be reintroduced in the House and Senate next session.

Aaron's has never undertaken such a coordinated legislative surge before, but the idea struck a chord with several franchisees including Robert Briley, Kelly Sayre and Mike Martin, who saw Aaron's D.C. managers meeting at the Gaylord Hotel -- which takes place one week prior to APRO's Legislative Conference --  as the ideal opportunity.

But spreading the rent-to-own message is only part of the story, according to Mike Hickey, vice president of management development at Aaron's.

"Without APRO and their expertise in legislation and training, we wouldn't be doing this," Hickey said. "Our idea is to have a nucleus of people who can deliver the RTO message and have the rest of the group leave behind a legacy that we were there. We're pretty charged up about this. It's going to be great."

Hickey envisions dividing the group into two camps with around 200 to 300 dedicated to meeting with legislators and the rest dedicated to a community outreach project that could include assisting efforts to restore the National Mall which has fallen into disrepair.

Pending approval, Hickey said putting 1,500-1,800 people to work landscaping and painting at the historic landmark fits Aaron's broader community aims and serves well the rent-to-own image.

"Every time we have a national meeting, we want to do something to make that city a little better," Hickey said. "If the mall project is not approved we will do something else for the community, perhaps in inner-city schools. This is a tremendous opportunity for the industry."

Listen to Mike Hickey podcast.

So far this year, Aaron's has dedicated over $900,000 through its community outreach programs, known as ACORP -- Aaron's Community Outreach Program -- which was initiated by company founder Charlie Loudermilk. Through the program, perfoming stores can earn money each month that can be used to give back to the communities they serve.

With so many rental professionals on hand, Hickey also envisions an RTO rally of some sort, however, specific locations and approvals are still pending as well.

APRO President "Tiger" John Cleek said Aaron's trip to the Hill, and the company's decision to work through APRO, demonstrates a relationship built on  "trust, strength and a commitment to unity."

"This will be ten times more constituents than we've been able to bring to Capitol Hill at any one time," Cleek said. "It shows there's a lot of people who understand the significance of federal legislation and the importance of unity as the only way we are ever going to get anything passed."

Aaron's historic commitment to bring 2,000 of its ranks to D.C. to market the rent-to-own message to members of Congress, the city and the world, through word and deed, is one that should serve as a beacon for dealers across the country, according to APRO Executive Director Bill Keese.

With the uncertainty of the November elections looming, Keese encourages all rental dealers to follow Aaron's lead and attend the APRO Legislative Conference April 21-23.

"We are grateful for this overwhelming show of support by Aaron's to protect and promote the industry," Keese said. "This builds momentum and we encourage all rental dealers to unify the next week under the APRO banner."

A podcast interview with Mike Hickey will follow tomorrow as APRO continues to cover this breaking news story.

mevans@rtohq.org