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NEWSLETTERS - Life long retailer turned rent to own advocate dies

Life long retailer turned rent to own advocate dies

Eugene "Gene" Leach.

Eugene (Gene) Leach, 80, father of TRIB Group President and past APRO President Lyn Leach, died in the early morning hours of Feb. 19 after a long battle with cancer.

After graduating from the University of Nebraska, he founded Ace Furniture & TV Inc., and later Lincoln Center Furniture, Lincoln, Nebraska. It was at his urging that his son Lyn Leach diverted from his planned career track at Hallmark Cards to check out the potential of a fledgling industry called "rent to own" on the early 1980's.

"Dad talked me out of it and into attending APRO's second ever convention in New Orleans," Lyn Leach said. "That's were I met the industry players who really took me under their wing and mentored me. People like Barry Gambini and the Happes."

Later, the senior Leach provided financial backing, moral support and encouragement for Lyn to open his first several Ace Rent to Own stores in Nebraska. Ace now claims 16 locations. Gene continued to work in retail until he sold his stores in 1995.

"I would have never gotten into this industry if it was not for him (Gene). Period. End of story."

Gene is survived by, Karyl, his wife; sons and daughters-in-law, Lyn and Natalie Leach, Jeff and Jeri Leach, Todd and Bridget Weeks; grandchildren, Mindy and Ben Leach, Brittany and Jacob Leach, Ann and Jason Weeks.

Gene Leach's memorial service was held Saturday, March 5 at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home.
 





2012 APRO Convention and Trade Show

July 24-26, Memphis, TN

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RTOHQ: The Magazine
RTOHQ: The Magazine is the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations' award-winning rent-to-own industry magazine, and it's available here.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR DIGITAL RTOHQ: THE MAGAZINE

 

RTOHQ: The Magazine’s upgraded digital format

APRO's new, mobile-ready magazine is now available in addition to our print edition. The digital format provides the same informative content as our printed magazine, but also offers tools to make the reading experience more enriching. Access the table of contents page with one click or tap. Get additional information from advertisers by clicking on the links in their ads. The interface is easy to navigate and requires no special app—read our magazine on your computer, digital table or smartphone. Click here to access the digital version of RTOHQ: The Magazine March-April 2012.

 

 

A New Rent-to-Own Experience

by Neil Ferguson

Here’s the lowdown on APRO’s 2012 Convention and Trade Show, July 24-26 in Memphis. The RTO industry’s big event will offer many valuable experiences, including insights on how to turn your stores into “experiences”–the good kind for consumers

 

Who Is Your Competition?

by Bill Keese

In order to expand your customer base, you can learn a lot by observing your competitors. But first, you need to figure out just who they are. If you think your only competition is the rent-to-own store down the street, you’re not considering the bigger picture. APRO’s executive director offers a big-picture perspective.

 

A Review of Online Customer Complaints

by Ed Winn III

While rent-to-own companies have not cornered the market on negative reviews posted on consumer complaint websites, it’s no surprise that there are cyberspace beefs against RTO. APRO’s general counsel reviews some of them in search of a pattern and he considers appropriate response to online complaints.

 

Rent-to-Own Families, Part VIII

by Kristen Card

Our series of family-run rent-to-own businesses continues with profiles of the Homeiers in Kansas and two Texas-based sets of kindred colleagues, the Spangles and the Weisblatts.

 

 

Future issues of APRO's magazine will be available in this same new format. Click here to access past issues that are not yet archived in the new interface.

 

Association of Progressive Rental Organizations
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Austin, Texas 78703
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Fax 512/794-0097