Rent-to-own News - Nationwide: MacAlpine promoted to VP of Rental Division

James MacAlpine, VP of Rental and Business Development for NMG.

Nationwide Marketing Group (NMG) today announced the recent promotions of several key executives including: James MacAlpine to Vice President of Rental Division & Business Development; Ed Knodle to Vice President of Member Development and Frank Sandtner to Vice President of Member Services – Operations.

“These recent promotions mark even more changes in the organization this year as we continue to enhance our leadership team," said Robert Weisner, CEO of NMG. "Our team will be focused on expanding the member services we currently provide the independent dealer.”

James MacAlpine, the new Vice President of Rental & Business Development for NMG, significantly increased the membership of rental dealers over the past 6 years with the organization. Rent Direct, its rental division, is now the largest rent to own buying group in America.

“My role with Nationwide over the last couple of years has evolved and expanded with the market changes,” said MacAlpine. “The rental business has not been as severely impacted as retail within the current economy.  Rental has become a more viable option as more consumers seek affordable ways to acquire household durable goods in a way that fits within their budget. ”

According to MacAlpine, he will continue to direct all rental operations as well as seek out new business opportunities for retail and rental dealers alike. One such opportunity includes increased promotion of the organization’s second-look finance programs which allow retail dealers to offer customers who have been denied credit an acceptance under a lease-purchase option. Another initiative is the integration of point of sale (POS) systems among dealers’ stores.

“Over the past three years, Nationwide has added hundreds of new members as well as many new programs and services,” said Les Kirk, COO of NMG. “As we continue to add to the scope and complexity of our offerings, it is very important to also enhance the roles of some of our key employees.”

Ed Knodle started working in the field sales division of Nationwide as the Director of Member Services and later hired additional personnel to provide members with the very best support and service.

“Independent dealers need the services of a buying group,” said Knodle. “It is up to us to show them that the services Nationwide provides are the very best in the industry and will keep them strong and profitable in their marketplace when wisely implemented into their current business plan.”

As the new Vice President of Member Development, Knodle plans to work with other team members to find new ways to make it much easier for independents to learn about all of the benefits of membership with Nationwide and teach them how to utilize these services to build stronger more profitable businesses. He also plans to work more closely with division leaders and their field sales teams to help in areas of member development, recruitment and retention.

“What amazes me is how much member dealers who have fully utilized our services, regardless of size, have prospered within the past year,” said Knodle. “The future success of the independent relies on understanding what they must do to compete and Nationwide has an experienced and knowledgeable staff to walk with them through these steps. I can confidently say that no other organization provides this level of service.”

Frank Sandtner began working with NMG nearly four years ago as a consultant for the warranty program.  Within less than a year he became employed to not only manage that program but to work with other member services.  He quickly branched into the development of Nationwide’s web services including website development, email marketing and online directories.

“Over the past three years, we have successfully partnered with world class service providers in the web services space.  These partnerships have enabled us to offer our membership reduced pricing on a range of websites with robust product catalogs in our major product categories,” said Sandtner.  “Our internet marketing services includes an integrated no cost email marketing solution as well as search engine marketing services.  Basically, if you want to know the right things to do in order to increase web visibility, Nationwide Marketing Group is the place to be.”

As the new Vice President of Member Services – Operations, he will be responsible for the operational aspects of all member services, ranging from NMG’s member communication system, data warehousing and services, digital signage, rebate processing and distribution initiatives.

To learn more about Nationwide Marketing Group including an invitation to the next Nationwide PrimeTime! buying show and strategic member conference on August 21-24, 2011 at the Gaylord Texan in Dallas, Texas call (336) 722-4681 or visit www.nationwidemarketinggroup.org