Past Employee & Customer of the Year Recipients

APRO's EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR RECIPIENTS:

David Lane
2010 Rent-to-own Employee of the Year 

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David Lane, a sales assistant for Premier Rental Purchase of Goshen, Indiana, is the Association of Progressive Rental Organization's 2010 Employee of the Year. Lane made headlines last year when he spearheaded an initiative to open the doors of his store so that locals could use the store's computers on Sundays to apply for unemployment benefits. Lane also worked with his local Boys and Girls Club to provide local teens who couldn't afford it, prom dresses and tuxes. Lane arranged a donation drive and once the duds were acquired, he negotiated with a local dry cleaner to clean and press all the clothing for free. He also donated all of the audio video equipment needed for the prom. Then he and the rest of the staff at the store had the student's prom dinner catered by a top notch local restaurant.
 

David Keen
2009 Rent-to-own Employee of the Year 

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David Keen, employee development manager for Rent One, is APRO's 2009 Employee of the Year. Keen served four terms on the Mt. Vernon City Council -- home base for Rent One's 42 stores -- and two years as the town's mayor, but it's his work behind the scenes of this bucolic town of 16,000, of which he is most proud. Keen helped start an organization called Jefferson County Operation Iraqi Freedom Committee (JCOIF) that raises funds for holiday gift cards for Jefferson County troops currently serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. Keen also helped establish the Senior Saints -- a 'hall of fame' for area seniors who have distinguished themselves through their community service and patriotism. Keen contributed significantly in helping organize Illinois federal legislative efforts and was a key player in helping to organize a recent $21,000 donation by the Illinois Rental Dealers Association last month to the area Boys and Girls Club. Perhaps his greatest contribution is to an eleven year old boy for whom he serves as a "'big brother" through the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program. For the past several years has served as a mentor through the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program.

Bill Tennison

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Bill Tennison, a ten-year employee of Heartland Furniture and Appliances from Doniphan, MO, is the proud recipient of APRO's 2008 Employee of the Year. Tennison won for his many contributions to the local food banks, shelters and charities in Doniphan area as well as his dedication to the customers he serves and the rent-to-own company and industry he represents. Tennison is a local fixture in the community helping raise money, food and even a restaurant sized freezer for the local food bank. He is the employee of Heartland Furniture and Appliances where owner Cindy Boyers proudly makes family, community and customers their priorities where Tennison excels in all three. It is through his big heart and charitable involvement that APRO proudly recognizes Bill Tennison ans APRO's 2008 Employee of the Year. Watch video.

Jonathan Brown

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Jonathan Brown received the rent-to-own industry’s highest award for store level employees for his community involvement efforts and his dedication to his family. Brown’s efforts as a young adult and high school student through the Upward Bound program and his role in supporting his grandparents as they raised him and his siblings distinguishes Brown as an individual who goes above and beyond his job to help his community and family. Brown’s Upward Bound involvement exemplifies his academic achievement but also emphasizes his leadership traits as he mentors other students and contributes to such causes as Adopt-A-Highway, the Red Cross, blood and food donation campaigns and local nursing homes. Brown was named “Mr. Upward Bound” because of his leadership traits and contributions. Brown continued his leadership and mentoring through his employment at BestWay Rent-to-Own in Tappahannock, Virginia. In just one year, Brown was named the company’s employee of the year then was nominated to also receive the national industry’s employee of the year award. Watch video.

Murray Beck
2006 Rent-to-Own Employee of the Year 

Murray Beck, vice president of Rent One operations, was honored among the 50,000 rent-to-own employees throughout the nation for his contributions to his community. Beck is respected and admired by his coworkers, peers and the many people with whom he interacts in his southern Illinois community of Mt. Vernon. Whether refereeing a game or raising money and awareness for muscular dystrophy or multiple sclerosis, Beck puts 110 percent into his efforts. His efforts not only raise awareness and funds for these important causes, they also serve to showcase Rent One’s commitment to community involvement. Those who know Beck and his family say that Beck’s son, Brian, is his biggest fan, and wants nothing more than to become more like his father. In addition to being named APRO’s 2006 Employee of the Year, Beck was also honored as Rent One’s regional manager of the year in 2006.

Paul Russell
2005 Rent-to-Own Employee of the Year 

There isn’t much that holds Paul Russell back from what he wants. He opened a Blue Ribbon Rentals store in an area of Ohio where the company originally was convinced that it did not want a store. Today, that store is the company’s largest and has won seven out of eight monthly awards. During the 2004 flooding in the Ohio Valley, Russell led a team to solicit and deliver food and clothes for families who lost everything. A youth pastor for his church, Russell started the youth ministry from scratch and now has at least 60 teenagers he tends to—mostly from broken homes and/or abusive backgrounds. Russell doesn’t believe in the word, “can’t.” He has taken care of employees in need and fed hungry customers who lost their jobs. He rises to each challenge without a question and more than deserves to be APRO’s 2005 Rental-Purchase Employee of the Year. Play video.

Jody Katz
2004 Rent-to-Own Employee of the Year 

Jody Katz of Buddy’s Home Furnishings in Tampa, Florida, was selected for his volunteer work raising awareness and money for missing children in the Florida area. Katz’ efforts and Buddy’s active role in supporting Child Protection Education of America Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to working with missing and exploited children, raised $10,000 for the organization by acting as a corporate sponsor for CPEA’s annual “Leather & Denim Biker Ball” and sponsoring the annual “Missing Children’s Walk” in Florida. In addition, Katz and Buddy’s have sponsored about 15 “ID Me Now” one-day events where parents can have their children’s fingerprints done in each of Buddy’s stores throughout Florida.
 

Anthony Robinson
2003 Rent-to-Own Employee of the Year 

When people refer to single parenthood, the image that most often comes to mind is that of a working mom. Anthony Robinson of Lakewood, Colorado, presents a sharp contrast as he is a single parent of four girls and a boy. Robinson is a busy account manager at a Rent-A-Center store who not only has two children of his own, but who adopted his sister’s daughters after their mother died from cancer two years ago. “I had to step up and be responsible rather quickly,” says Robinson. Early on, Robinson took part in Street Beat in Denver, a program for at-risk or troubled youth. “I went there as an opportunity after high school and became a member and then an instructor,” says Robinson Today, Robinson works at the Lakewood Rent-A-Center and recently moved his family to a better home in nearby Aurora, Colorado. “My focus is the kids because they need somebody,” says Robinson. “That’s my drive to keep going. I don’t have that ‘quit’ in my system.”
 

Ronnie D. Williams
2002 Rent-to-Own Employee of the Year 

Ronnie D. Williams is an account manager for the Harrisburg, Illinois, RentWay store for more than three years. He was nominated by Jason Casteel, his store manager, for not only maintaining an exemplary card close, but also for being reliable, dedicated and working well with all of his customers. What distinguishes Williams is that he is also involved in filling the needs of his community. A father of six, Williams is the son of a preacher and manages the Harvest Deliverance Center and spends a lot of his time assisting there. The center is a homeless shelter and provides food and clothing for the needy. Every holiday, Williams and his father prepare and serve meals for the men and women who are unfortunate enough to find themselves without a home or family with whom to spend the holidays. “Ronnie also organizes food drives,” says Casteel. “With his caring attitude and outstanding professional performance, I think Ronnie deserves the recognition and should be made the 2002 Rental-Purchase Employee of the Year.”
 

Josef Warren
2001 Rent-to-Own Employee of the Year 

Josef Warren is manager of the New Image Rent To Own store in Security, Colorado. He has charmed both his employees and store customers. “Joe really knows how to make our customers feel right at home,” says New Image Assistant Manager Mike Payne. “He’s great with people—both customers and employees—and treats everyone with equal respect.” Beyond his “outstanding efforts” at work, says New Image General Manager Charles Green, Warren also gives of himself outside of work. He makes frequent visits to cancer patients, holds prayer groups for the depressed and also makes the time to visit with prison inmates. “Joe is someone we should all be proud to have working in this industry,” says Green.
 

Eric Ison
2000 Rent-to-Own Employee of the Year 

Eric Ison, store manager for Showplace Inc. in Marion, Ohio, was nominated for the Rent-to-Own Employee of the Year award by his district manager for being a “valued high performance manager.” Ison not only has become one of the company’s leading trainers in all aspects of the business, including developing a computer training class for employees, but also has “blazed trails into community involvement.” Ison started a food drive, helped build a new school playground, participates in United Way fund-raisers as well as the Adopt-A-Family program, the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross. Watch video.

APRO's CUSTOMER OF THE YEAR RECIPIENTS:

Louise Brown
2010 Rent-to-Own Customer of the Year 

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Louise Brown, has been a customer of Virginia-based BestWay Rent To Own for 20 years. A retired cook, Brown and her husband, Arthur, have provided foster care services for the City of Portsmouth for 29 years dealing primarily with hardship cases and emergency situations. Louise has provided foster care services for over 500 children and was honored five times as "Foster Parent of the Year". She is currently attending Tidewater Community College to further her education in child development. In addition, six months ago, the Browns started an organization called 'The Veteran's Lodge' which provides services to U.S. Veterans who are unaware of the benefits available to them. They visit churches and prisons to help those veterans receive their benefits.
 

 Sherron and Robert Wilder
2009 Rent-to-Own Customer of the Year 

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Sherron and Robert Wilder, Rent-A-Center Customers since 1992, are APRO's 2009 Customers of the year. From their Safe Haven programs for children, to their current outreach mission for the homeless, the Wilders' impact on Benton Harbor, Michigan and those who have fallen on hard times continues to resonate. For the past 17 years, the Wilders have been on a public service mission to help the men, women and children suffering under the weight of homelessness, abuse and despair. The Wilders again called on rent-to-own to furnish their Prevention Summer Camp and again to provide furniture for their Forgotten Men Outreach Ministries program which includes a homeless shelter and day camp. A shelter and day camp for homeless men -- the home houses up to eight at a time with the Wilders living downstairs below the housing quarters. Sherron Wilder feeds up to 35 men and women per month through the ministry and cooks all the meals. The men can stay in the ministry for up to one year, during which the Wilders help educate them about how to find permanent housing.

Kimberly Royal

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Kimberly Royal from Ironton, OH is a case manager at the Judge Dennis Boll Group and Shelter Home. As a single mother of two leaving an abusive husband to an empty home, Royal turned to Countryside Rentals to rebuild her home, family and life. She has since helped hundreds of children transcend from a life of crime to a lives of contributing adults. These children return year after year to thank Royal on her inspiration and help during their most troubled times. Royal does not hesitate to let everyone she also had help in rebuilding her home through rent-to-own and Countryside Rentals where the flexible, no-obligation rent-to-own transaction and the helpful staff at Countryside Rentals provided her the opportunity to give her children the loving and furnished home they deserve. Royal also is very active in her church and supports the annual holiday charity in her community. Kim Royal is a testament to the American dream. From nearly nothing to a successful and inspirational life, Royal is leader in the community, the family and, now, the rent-to-own industry. Watch video.
 

Johnnie Bradford
2005 Rental-to-Own Customer of the Year 

Johnnie Bradford is pastor of Open Door Full Gospel in Columbus, Mississippi, and was the church’s founder in 1990. Her purpose is to provide the community with a place to gather and worship, and also to provide area children with a sense of belonging. Today, Bradford’s church serves 300 members. In 1993, she added a church-affiliated youth center to the community. While in the process of building the youth center, she opened the doors of her home to many children with no place to go and no one to love and care for them. Not only does she have a special place in her heart for children, she also opened a personal-care home for the elderly. Bradford is also a certified nurse assistant and certified in care of for the hard-of-hearing. Because she has opened her heart in so many ways to so many people, she has been selected as APRO’s 2005 Rent-to-Own Customer of the Year. Play video.
 

Patrick and Marianna Head
2004 Rent-to-Own Customers of the Year 

Baber’s Leasing customers Patrick and Marianna Head’s community involvement through their church leaves little doubt why they were chosen as APRO’s 2004 Customers of the Year, says Bill Keese, APRO executive director. Patrick Head has served as pastor of the Friendship C.M.E. Church in Dorsey, Mississippi, for the past six years where he and his wife assist in many different areas of the community fighting poverty, homelessness and hunger. They assist in tutorial and mentor programs for children and Patrick Head is the co-founder of the Save Our Youth organization. The Heads have been proud RTO customers for years.
 

Donna Brown
2003 Rent-to-Own Customer of the Year  

Baber’s customer Donna Brown firmly believes that she survived a very difficult childhood in order to share her story with others. A minister and evangelist, Brown was raised by an alcoholic mother who was unable to hold down a job and, eventually, a home. “I had to overcome a lot of anger from my childhood,” she says. “Just because you’re a minister doesn’t mean you have it all together. We all have to overcome things.” Brown is a regular visitor to nursing homes to cheer up the elderly. She exudes a calm, warm presence and offers comforting prayers to those in need of healing. Brown has spent a great deal of time counseling a young mother struggling with drug addiction and has even taken on the responsibility of helping to raise this woman’s child. Through her generosity, insight and caring, Donna Brown is truly a shining star in her community.

Norma Burgenger
2002 Rent-to-Own Customer of the Year 

Norma Burgenger of Vinita, Oklahoma has turned to Stanley’s Rent To Own to assist her as she opens her home to strangers in need through a local center for the needy. “Norma is a non-biased person who takes in boarders in times of need,” says Pierce. “Even though she lives on a fixed income, she takes in people who need a temporary place to stay regardless of their background or current situation. We think she is extraordinary because she is on a fixed income, but manages to help others get them on their feet again. “Norma is a very caring person who does whatever it takes to help someone out. Without us, however, she might not be able to assist these folks in the manner should would like to,” says Pierce.
 

James and Brenda Atchison
2001 Rent-to-Own Customer of the Year 

James and Brenda Atchison have been loyal customers of the Rent One store in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, since its opening in 1985. During the past 16 years, the Atchisons have used the rent-to-own option to obtain items for their home and even the homes of their grown children. What makes the Atchisons so special is that they have helped raise eight foster children as well as four children of their own. “They never know when the local child protective services office might call to ask them to rescue another child,” says Rent One’s Keith Carrico. “However, when the call comes, they know Rent One will be there to deliver whatever is needed to make their house a home for a child in need.
 

Maria Magdalena Estrada
2000 Rent-to-Own Customer of the Year 

El Paso’s Fiesta Rent To Own customer Maria Estrada wrote in her letter of application for the award that, “I rely on the employees of Fiesta Rent To Own to provide me with the quality products and services I need.” Estrada is a single mother of four boys who has relied on the service and convenience of her local store for many years. “I have acquired home furnishings, appliances and electronics to create a warm and stable environment for all of my boys,” says Estrada. Watch video.