Speese honored for lifetime of entrepreneurship
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| Mark Speese |
Mark Speese, chairman and CEO of Rent-A-Center, will receive the Murphy Award on Friday at the BDO Seidman LLP Leadership Luncheon at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas.
The luncheon benefits the University of North Texas Murphy Center for Entrepreneurship and the award is given to an individual who has demonstrated a lifetime commitment to entrepreneurship.
Former Dallas Cowboy quarterback and pro football hall-of-famer Roger Staubach — who is known for his enterprising ways on the gridiron and in commercial real estate — will deliver the keynote address at this benefit at the Hilton Anatole.
Speese started his own rent-to-own business in 1986 – Vista Rent-To-Own — and expanded it through a series of acquisitions in the 1990’s.
Today at Rent-A-Center, he oversees 18,500 employees and 3,000 stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. He is also president of the board of directors for the Collin County Children’s Advocacy Center in Plano and is a board member of Students in Free Enterprise and the Dallas Regional Chamber.
Winners of the New Venture Creation contest, which provides seed money to students to fund their entrepreneurial business plans, also will be announced.
Tickets are $175 or $1,500 for tables of 10. Call 940/565-2848 or visit www.murphycenter.unt.edu for more information.