Rent-to-own News - IRDA talks legislation, elects new board

New IRDA Board Members.

Around 50 rent-to-own dealers and  vendors from across the state of Illinois turned out at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Springfield Wednesday, to help the Illinois Rental Purchase Dealers Association build on its status as APRO's 2008 "Most Improved State Association".

Around a dozen rent-to-own companies were represented at the meeting including National Rent-to-Own, Rent One, Action Rentals and Sales, Smitty's RTO, a number of ColorTyme and Aaron's franchisees and Rent-A-Center.

IRDA members elected a 10 member board, which subsequently re-elected all sitting officers including president Steve Braning of National Rent-To-Own, vice president Kevin Milliron of Aaron's, secretary Henry Baird of Action Rentals and Sales and treasurer Larry Carrico of Rent-One.

"I'm proud to be re-elected as president and to have a membership that has decided to take such an active role in its future," Branning said. "This is a great turnout. I look forward to good things to come from this association."

APRO President "Tiger" John Cleek addressed attendees and remarked on the dramatic rise in state leadership and organization that has helped grow state associations from a handful 10 years ago to over 30 today.

IRDA Lobbyist Henry Bodewes.

Cleek urged dealers to get involved in local congressional elections and support those six Illinois Congress members who have signed on as co-sponsors to the industry supported Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act.

Industry legislative and community outreach efforts, including a commitment by Aaron Rents to dedicate 2,000 managers from its April managers conference in Washington, D.C., to meet with legislators and participate in a community outreach effort that could include beautification of the National Mall, will allow the industry to put it's best foot forward, Cleek said.

While there is talk of a lame duck session in Congress in which numerous banking and financial regulatory bills could be passed -- making the industry's bill germane -- Cleek focused on the the post-election session and APRO's 2009 Legislative Conference April 21-23.

Casey Pristou, Aaron's franchisee.

"We're going to make sure we have a united message going to Congress," Cleek said. "There's no way we can be divided right now. Staying united is the only way we can get this legislation passed."

APRO's first ever "Lobbyist of the Year" award-winner, Herman Bodewes, discussed the upcoming elections and their impact on state initiatives and political dynamics in Illinois. As the Chicago suburbs become more Democratic, Bodewes said the Illinois legislature will retain it's "veto-proof" Democratic majority.

James McAlpine, Executive Director of RentDirect Nationwide discussed the benefits of membership the buying group.

The meeting concluded after lunch with a popular motivational presentation by ColorTyme CEO Bob Bloom -- "How You Attitude Determines Your Altitude" -- and a presentation on the upcoming digital transition by Jason Chenault and Jewell Dalton of DSI Systems.

Aaron's franchisee and new IRDA Board Member Casey Pristou, who owns five stores in Illinois and Iowa, said access to such an assembly of rent-to-own talent  and experience was well worth the cost of membership in IRDA. Such networking and educational opportunities are all the more important in this election year, he said.

IRDA members prepare to elect a new board.

"Just having the past and current presidents of APRO here and the CEO of ColorTyme, that in and of itself is valuable," Pristou said. "The old adage about all politics being local is even more relevant now. Just having some of the smartest guys in the industry all together in one room...you can't help but benefit. It's a fabulous opportunity."


IRDA secretary Henry Baird -- president and owner of Action Rentals and Sales based in Lincoln, Illinois -- has been a member of the association since it first formed in 1983.

The growth of the association from around six owners at the first meeting, to over 50 owners, employees and vendors today, is due in large part to the importance dealers now place on having a well educated workforce that understands the bigger RTO picture. The more employees are included in industry associations, the better off RTO will be in the long run, Baird said.

"When we first started, it was just a bunch of owners," Baird said. "Now we bring in our employees so they'll have the larger view of what we do. It brings those employees up to a certain level that benefits the industry as a whole."

New IRDA Board Members are as follows: David Keen (Rent One), Casey Pristou (Aaron's), Ken Hollis (Rent-A-Center), Brent Tedrick (ColorTyme), Kevin Milliron (Aaron's), Larry Carrico (Rent One), Henry Baird (Action Rentals and Sales), Jason Chenault (DSI), Steve Braning (National Rent-To-Own), James Richard (Fraenkel Company).

mevans@rtohq.org