Oklahoma Rental Dealers Get Their Kicks at Route 66 Meeting
Attendees honored Bill Morgenstern (center) at the event with its first-ever ORDA Lifetime Member award.
The Oklahoma Rental Dealers Association’s second annual Route 66 Meeting & Tradeshow was held August 8 and 9 in Tulsa. The event featured RTO industry updates and insights from some rent-to-own heavy-hitters, including industry pioneer Bill Morgenstern and APRO General Counsel Ed Winn III, plus golf and poker tournaments, a welcome reception, trade show, education and training, roundtable sessions and board of directors elections.
This year’s Route 66 attendance was double that of last year’s event, with rental dealers traveling from Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas to attend. In addition to the robust attendance, the trade show was also impressive, with $500,000 in sales.
APRO General Counsel Ed Winn III
Attendees were excited to catch up with Morgenstern. “Bill focused on the importance of using technology to grow your RTO business; however, the the buzz word for the rest of the day was perseverance,” says ORDA President Clifford “Chip” Guy. “Everyone was blown away with Bill’s never-give-up attitude. Through all of his adversity, he has pushed forward and, to this day, lives a humble and successful life.” Attendees honored Morgenstern at the event with its first-ever ORDA Lifetime Member award.
ORDA’s newly elected, or re-elected, board of directors are Clifford “Chip” Guy, president; Dave Miller, vice president; Todd Homberger, secretary; and JD Eply, treasurer.
Golf tournament first-place winners included Brennan Hutchins and Kelly Criss
Steve Toothman with Buddys won the poker tournament, receiving a trophy and iPhone 7, which was donated by Leopard Mobility. The first-place golf team—which also received trophies, along with gift cards from PTS Direct Benefits—was Lyle Aldridge, Skywalker; Kelly Criss, Buddy’s Home Furnishings; Bob Holiday, Skywalker; and Brennan Hutchins, Buddys Home Furnishings.
“There would have been no way to hold this meeting without the support of our sponsors,” Guy says. “ORDA has come a long way in two years. Attendance has doubled and we thank you all for your support.” ORDA’s 2017 Route 66 sponsors were RentDirect Nationwide (platinum); Noah’s Bedding Co. and The Nunn Co. (gold); C and L Supply, Million Dollar Rustic, Rental Sales Works, TRIB Group and Voxpopuli (silver); Ashley Furniture, Express Imports, O’Rourke Sales Co., PTS Direct Benefits and Serta/Simmons (bronze).
Click here to view more pictures from The Oklahoma Rental Dealers Association’s second annual Route 66 Meeting & Tradeshow.
Mike grew up in the rent-to-own industry under the guidance of his father, former APRO President and RTO legend Darrell Tissot. For nearly 25 years, Mike’s innovative leadership has helped expand the family business to more than 40 stores across Ohio and Kentucky while also shaping the industry as a whole.
He has served as President of the Ohio Rental Dealers Association, an APRO board member and Treasurer, and President and Treasurer of the TRIB Group. His contributions have earned him the APRO President’s Award of Excellence and the title of APRO Rental Dealer of the Year.
Outside of RTO, Mike enjoys time at the lake house or in Orange Beach, Alabama, with his girlfriend, Angela Strong McCool. A passionate Cincinnati Reds fan, he rarely misses a game, whether watching or listening alongside his parents. He also takes every opportunity to visit Arizona, where his daughter is currently attending Arizona State University.
