Rent-to-own News - APRO honors state associations and legislative achievement

State rent-to-own associations, their leadership and legislative grassroots efforts were recognized during the , September 26, in Reno, Nevada.

APRO President Larry Carrico introduced APRO's State Association Coordinating Committee Chairman "Tiger" John Cleek, who presented the following state rental dealers association awards during the reception:

• 2007 Legislative Achievement Award: Texas
• 2007 Continued Excellence Award: California, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee
• 2007 Emerging Excellence Award: Louisiana, Northwest (formerly Idaho, Oregon and Washington), Pennsylvania and West Virginia

Cleek then presented gavels to the following new state rental dealer association presidents:

• Alan Frazier: Arkansas
• Steve Braning: Illinois
• Brian Luksetich: Iowa
• Jeff White: Louisiana
• Mark Wilford: Maryland
• "Tiger" John Cleek Jr.: Missouri
• Dave Edwards: New York
• Sandi Whited Frye: Pennsylvania
• Dan Matthews: Texas
• Shawn DiLeo: West Virginia

To date, Cleek reported that there are 33 state rental dealer association presidents and expressed sincere gratitude on behalf of the industry for their voluntary dedication and involvement. Carrico then retook the stage, chronicling the success of the 2007 APRO Legislative Conference earlier this year. For the first time in APRO history, there were 109 first-time conference attendees who joined with industry veterans to lobby their elected officials on behalf of the rent-to-own industry. More than 200 rent-to-own dealers and vendors traveled to Washington, D.C., in April, with attendees from 82 companies representing more than 5,000 stores. The APRO members who held the most meetings with elected representatives and who were presented with American flags that were flown over the U.S.

Capitol from Mississippi's Senator Trent Lott's office are Shannon and Cynthia Strunk and Lee Duvall. The Strunks and Duvall held an impressive 20 meetings to lobby on behalf of the industry. Finally, APRO Political Action Committee Chairman Robert Briley recognized Team APRO contributors and their generous donations. The total amount raised for the PAC/Team APRO for 2006-07 totaled a whopping $185,450, with $13,250 raised for Team APRO and $172,200 for the political action committee. APRO would like to thank Speed Queen for its generous sponsorship of this event. Click here to view pictures of the event in APRO’s Photo Gallery.