Rent-to-Own

McGovern promoted to VP of Information Systems: (L to R) Rent One President Trent Agin, Lori McGovern, Rent One Owner Larry Carrico and Rent One VP Murray Beck.

Mt. Vernon, Illinois-based Rent One today, announced the promotion of long-term employee Lori McGovern to the position of Vice President of Information Systems.

McGovern began her career at Rent One in 1989 while still in high school, as a part time assistant at the corporate office, working directly with the company’s owners, Larry and Sharon Carrico.

Read more.

Rent One President Trent Agin, Lori McGovern, Rent One Owner Larry Carrico and Rent One VP Murray Beck.

Mt. Vernon, Illinois-based Rent One today, announced the promotion of long-term employee Lori McGovern to the position of Vice President of Information Systems.

McGovern began her career at Rent One in 1989 while still in high school, as a part time assistant at the corporate office, working directly with the company’s owners, Larry and Sharon Carrico.

She eventually moved to full time and quickly learned and helped in a variety of tasks, including payroll, accounts payable, supply distribution, store audits, and in her spare time worked behind the counter at the Mount Vernon, IL store.

“I love knowing how everything works and, by working in the stores I could work better in the corporate office,” McGovern said. “I have always loved what I do and as my grandma always told us, ‘If a job it worth doing, it’s worth doing well.’”

In 1993 the company changed software companies and she discovered a new direction, a new opportunity to learn and grow. With ongoing enthusiasm and education, she became the manager of information systems in 1998, focusing on the company’s inventory and computer systems.
Lori excelled in her new position and as the company grew, so did her experience and expertise.

Born in Mt. Vernon, McGovern married her husband, Kevin, in 1992 and moved to Newfoundland, Canada where he was stationed with the US Navy for two years. She kept in touch with the Carrico’s during this time, and when the McGovern’s moved back to Illinois, Lori called Sharon to see if there was an opening.

“It worked out that the person who had taken over for me was leaving; the job was mine if I wanted it and  I was thrilled,” she said.
Kevin and Lori now have three children Ethan, Lacey, and Jamie and a granddaughter, Harlow.

Under McGovern’s management, the Rent One Information Systems Department has grown to a total of five people who are responsible for the systems and information technology of the now 50-store company. 

“It has been great watching Rent One grow, being able to personally grow with it, and see others grow too," she said. "If it wasn’t for my crew this wouldn’t have been possible. They are great, dedicated, and hard working people.” 
 

 Training is key to Midwest Expo success

In foreground (L to R): ORDA President Scott Kinnear with Jewell Dalton of DSI Systems at the annual Midwest RTO Training Expo in Columbus, Ohio Wednesday.

The seventh annual Midwest RTO Training Expo — hosted by the Ohio Rental Dealers Association (ORDA) — wrapped Wednesday at the Concourse Hotel and Conference Center in Columbus, Ohio where rent to own managers and sales representatives from multiple states gained valuable product information they will put to use in their stores immediately.

Read full story.

ORDA President Scott Kinnear with Jewell Dalton of DSI Systems.

The seventh annual Midwest RTO Training Expo — hosted by the Ohio Rental Dealers Association (ORDA) — wrapped Wednesday at the Concourse Hotel and Conference Center in Columbus, Ohio where rent to own managers and sales representatives from multiple states gained valuable product information they will put to use in their stores immediately.

As the cornerstone of the event, The Midwest Expo featured expert product trainings from six industry vendors including LG, O’Rourke Sales Company, Coaster Furniture, Whirlpool, Archbrook Laguna and Brightlite.

APRO Legal Counsel Ed Winn III also spoke on legal and legislative issues.

"People are really excited about the fourth quarter and things like learning about the new PS3 updates that will allow the system to play 3D DVD’s really opened some eyes," said ORDA President Scott Kinnear. "Our in-store people really walked away with good information on these products and how to sell them when they get back home. If they’re excited when they walk away from the training, they’ll be excited in the store."

Kinnear also credits Tony Craig for keeping this year’s show on track.

"He really helped keep us on a budget and organized so our vendors had more time to mingle and network," Kinnear said.

See photo gallery of the 2010 Midwest Expo here.

The New York State Rental Dealers Association Thursday, kicked off it’s annual dealers meeting at the Turnings Stone Casino and Resort in Verona New York, drawing close to 50 attendees representing a dozen rental and dealer companies.

The meeting follows closely on the heels of a new rent to own law signed into law last month by New York Gov. David Paterson that will enhance contract disclosures and set stringent new pricing guidelines for the industry in the state. New York is home to 271 rent-to-own stores, employing 1,626.

The new bill has been described as the "strictest RTO law in the country". Read more about the law here.

"We don’t know exactly what it’s going to do to the rental industry in the state of New York," said NYSRDA President Dave Edwards. "Our focus from here is going to be maintaining those relationships we’ve cultivated in the state legislature and on taking care of our customers and our associates."

APRO Executive Director Bill Keese and APRO Legal Counsel Ed Winn III spoke at the meeting and provided industry, legal and federal legislative updates.

Three vendors also addressed attendees including Protect-A-Bed, Benefit Marketing Solutions, and Simmons.

Edwards said the association will also continue to focus on recruiting new independent dealers.
 

Franchisee David Deignan recently opened another RimTyme in Georgia; this time it’s in the city of Columbus. The new store makes Deignan’s third custom-wheels-and-tires franchise with other locations in Macon and Warner Robins.

“Opening our doors in Columbus is exciting because we get to show people all the things that set RimTyme apart from other shops,” said Deignan. “Whether it’s the payment plans, great customer service or the fact that they can drive away with new wheels shortly after they come in, people here will have a reason to make RimTyme their first choice when it comes to accessorizing their ride.”

Through its lease-to-own platform, RimTyme offers customers flexible, credit-free options to obtain custom wheels and tires without a long-term obligation. Deignan is confident that Columbus residents will embrace the store’s favorable business model.

“At RimTyme, everyone is pre-approved so there’s no credit-check and no waiting,” he said. “We make it easy with payment plans that can fit anyone’s budget as well as wheels and tires that can fit anyone’s vehicle.”

Located at 4908 Buena Vista Rd., the new store houses a wide inventory of 16 to 24-inch rims and tires and includes a service garage on site for immediate installation of products. RimTyme also provides services like balancing and rotating for the life of the tires at no extra charge.

About RimTyme

RimTyme, Inc. is a custom-wheels-and-tires franchise operating in the United States. RimTyme currently has 20 stores in 12 states. RimTyme is headquartered in Plano, Texas and is an independent, wholly owned subsidiary of the largest rent-to-own company in the world, Rent-A-Center (NASDAQ: RCII).

Contact:
Christine Saggese, ColorTyme, Inc. •  972/403-4907 • csaggese@colortyme.com

Bestway’s 2010 ‘Profit King’ C.D. Bell, center, surrounded by fellow Bestway high performing managers at the company’s awards banquet Wednesday.

Bestway Rent-To-Own closed out its 2010 annual managers meeting at Hilton Head, South Carolina Wednesday, with an awards brunch celebrating district and store managers of the company’s highest performing stores.

Read more.
 

Bestway’s 2010 ‘Profit King’ C.D. Bell, center, surrounded by fellow Bestway high performing managers at the company’s awards banquet Wednesday.

Bestway Rent-To-Own closed out its 2010 annual managers meeting at Hilton Head, South Carolina Wednesday, with an awards brunch celebrating district and store managers of the company’s highest performing stores.

The company is wrapping up the most profitable year in its history and several of the managers took home several of the 131 awards in categories ranging from highest revenue and profit generation to BOR growth.

"Any team in business demands just what it does on the field," Bestway CFO Beth Durrett said. "Pep talks, practice drills, critiquing performance and passion. 2010 was a record year for our company. Together as a team we will continue to be the best in the industry."

Bestway CEO David Kraemer closed out the meeting.

"We have become a close knit group of not just co-workers but friends and we’ve accomplished things other companies only dream of," Kraemer said. "Every leadership book I’ve ever read starts out with the fact the best companies have the best people. Well I’m here to tell you, this company is the best rent to own company in the world."

See photos of Bestway’s 2010 Managers Meeting.

See previous story on David Kraemer.

Read about Bestway’s commitment to supporting breast cancer research.

Sept. 22-23 New York State Rental Dealers Association Annual Meeting. Turning Stone Casino, Verona, New York. For more information, please contact Dave Edwards at (860) 895-1640.