What is APRO? - Honoring the Rent-to-own Industry's Finest

The APRO "Buddy" Awards are presented every year to those outstanding individuals and organizations that have raised the level of what can be done to better the industry for everyone.

The recipients are named at the annual APRO Awards Banquet held during the association's Convention and Buying Show.

APRO's Hall of Honor:

Ernie Talley Lifetime Achievement Award

• Dave Egan, 2007
• Larry Sutton, 2006
• Lyle Jones, 2005
• Darrell Tissot, 2004
• Ernie Talley, 2003
• Wayland J. Russell, 2002
• Barry Gambini, 2001
• Chuck Sims, 2000
• Norman Slatton Sr., 1999
• Chris Korst, 1999
• Bill White, 1998
• Ed Winn III, 1996
• Wayne Chambers, 1995
• Bud Holladay, 1995

State Association of the Year

• Missouri, 2007
• Florida, 2006
• Missouri, 2005
• Arkansas, 2004
• Ohio, 2003

  2007 Award Recipients

• Indiana, 2002
• Florida, 2001
• Texas, 2000
• Louisiana, 1999
• Illinois and Missouri, 1998
• New Jersey and Ohio, 1997
• Ohio, 1996
• Arkansas, 1995
• Missouri, 1994
• Florida, 1993
• Texas, 1992
• Indiana, 1991

President’s Award of Excellence

• Gary McDougal, 2007
• Terry Beville, 2006
• Kevin Quinn, 2005
• Jim Brown, 2004
• Ron Waters, 2003
• Larry Carrico, 2002
• Bill Keese, 2001
• Darrell Tissot, 2000
• Richard Bartel, 1999
• Ernie Talley, 1998
• Tracey Morgan, 1997
• Ernie Lewallen, 1996
• Ronald D. DeMoss, 1995
• Larry Sutton, 1994
• Ted Wilson, 1993
• Bud Holladay, 1992
• Chris Korst, 1991
• Ken Gay, 1990
• Wayne Chambers, 1989
• Bill Morgenstern, 1988
• Dave Egan, 1987
• Tom Devlin, 1986
• Rozanne Flatt, 1986
• Ed Winn III, 1985
• Barry Gambini, 1984
• BudHolladay, 1983
• Charles D. Sims, 1982

Rental Dealer of the Year

• John Darden, 2007
• John Spangle, 2006
• Robert Briley, 2005
• Martin Auble, 2004
• Shannon Strunk and Cynthia Baber-Strunk, 2003
• Gary Hughes, 2002
• James Byrd, 2001
• Lyn Leach, 2001
• David P. David, 2000
• Tom Neyhart, 1999
• Larry Carrico, 1998
• Dan Weiss, 1997
• “Tiger” John Cleek, 1996
• James Strong, 1995
• Gary McDougal, 1994
• Mamie Harper, 1993
• Kevin Quinn, 1992
• Bob Simons, 1991
• Allen Lewis, 1990
• Roger Sharp, 1989

Rental-Purchase Employee of the Year

• Jonathan Brown, 2007
• Murray Beck, 2006
• Paul Russell, 2005
• Jody Katz, 2004
• Anthony Robinson, 2003
• Ronnie D. Williams, 2002
• Josef Warren, 2001
• Eric Ison, 2000

Rental-Purchase Customer(s) of the Year

• Johnnie Bradford, 2005
• Patrick and Marianna Head, 2004
• Donna Brown, 2003
• Norma Burgenger, 2002
• James and Brenda Atchison, 2001
• Maria Magdalena Estrada, 2000

Heritage Award

• David P. David and Steve Kruse, 2007
• Chuck Kuluva and Jeff Loeb, 2006
• Dan Cole and Richard Eichlin, 2005

Norm Smith Vendor of the Year

• Bill French, 2007
• Ellison Crider, RSSS, 2006
• Wayne Harris, Sandberg Furniture, 2005
• Ron Wanek, Ashley Furniture, 2004
• John Foster, Alliance Computing Technologies, 2003
• John Rogers, High Touch, 2002
• Dennis Shields, TRIB Group, 2001
• Bob Saunders, Saunders Marketing, 2000
• Brad Wire, Whirlpool, 1999
• Les Feldser, RSSS, 1998
• Joe Savovic, Progressive Furniture, 1997
• Al Zagorniak, Sears, 1996
• Steve Owens, Foresight, 1995
• Danny Wright, Foresight, 1995
• Bonnie Nitzsche, Bonnie the Flyer Specialist, 1994
• Tim Shannon, Thomson, 1994
• Tom Kitchens, Whirlpool, 1993
• Lyle Jones, High Touch, 1992
• Norm Smith, Zenith, 1991

Most-Improved State Association

• New York, 2007
• Tennessee, 2006
• Ohio, 2005
• Missouri, 2004
• Arkansas, 2003
• California, 2002
• Colorado, 2001
• New York, 2000
• Florida, 1999
• Vermont, 1998
• Wisconsin, 1997
• New Jersey, 1996
• Massachusetts, 1995
• New York, 1994
• Michigan, 1993
• Ohio, 1992
• Alabama, 1991

Emerging Excellence

• Louisiana, Northwest (formerly Idaho, Oregon and Washington), Pennsylvania and West Virginia, 2007

State Legislative Achievement

• Texas, 2007
• California, 2006
• Arkansas and California, 2005
• Florida, 2004
• Texas, 2003
• Wisconsin, 2002
• Nebraska, 2001
• Kentucky, 2000

State Association Continued Excellence

• California, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee, 2007
• Alabama/Mississippi, Texas, Missouri, Ohio, 2006
• Alabama/Mississippi, Florida, Illinois and Tennessee, 2005
• Alabama/Mississippi, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Oregon, Texas and Wisconsin, 2004
• California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana and Missouri, 2003
• Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Texas, 2002
• Arkansas, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio and Texas, 2001
• Indiana, 2000

APRO Board Presidents

• Larry Carrico, 2006-
• Shannon Strunk, 2004-06
• Lyn Leach 2003-04
• Gary Romine 2002-03
• Gary McDougal, 1999-2002
• Ernie Lewallen, 1998-99
• Darrell Tissot, 1997-98
• Bill White 1995-97
• Kevin Quinn, 1993-95
• Wayne Chambers, 1991-93
• Ted Wilson, 1989-91
• Dick Grauel, 1988-89
• Mac Hennigan 1986-88
• Glenn Davis, 1985-86
• Bud Holladay, 1985
• Barry Gambini, 1982-85
• Bud Holladay, 1980-82