Mark Connelly has spent nearly four decades in rent-to-own, building businesses, strengthening state associations, and showing up wherever the industry has needed his experience and support.
APRO recognized Connelly, Partner and Executive Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions for Arona Corporation dba Arona Home Essentials, with the 2026 RTO Tiger Award during the APRO Awards Luncheon & Business Meeting at RTO World 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Presented by John Cleek Jr., the RTO Tiger Award honors the legacy of his late father, “Tiger” John Cleek, a longtime APRO leader who served 14 years on the APRO Board of Directors, including two years as president, and founded APRO’s State Association Coordination Committee.
The award recognizes exceptional leadership and service, particularly an individual who has strengthened state associations and supported the industry’s grassroots advocacy efforts.
That connection made the recognition especially meaningful for Connelly.
“The name on this award probably means more to me than anything else,” Connelly said in his acceptance remarks. “A lot of respect and love and admiration for that guy, that family.”
Connelly described Tiger and his family as close friends and mentors and reflected on the personal relationship the two families shared.
“I miss that guy,” Connelly said.
Connelly’s own rent-to-own career began in 1989 after his service as a U.S. Marine Corps officer. He entered the industry with Remco and moved quickly through positions including manager trainee, store leadership, and regional management.
His career later included leadership roles with ColorTyme, Renter’s Choice, and Rent-A-Center before he joined Arona in 2003. Over the years, Connelly has worked in organizations ranging from major national operators to franchise and independent businesses, giving him experience across multiple sides of the rent-to-own industry.
His involvement with APRO grew along with that career.
Connelly served on the APRO Board of Directors and was APRO President from 2016 to 2017. Today, he remains active in APRO leadership and serves as Chairman of the State Association Committee, continuing work closely connected to the state association efforts Tiger championed.
State-level involvement has also been a consistent part of Connelly’s service to the industry.
He remains a board member of the Iowa-Nebraska Rental Dealers Association (INRDA) and helped bring the Iowa and Nebraska associations together. He has also participated for years with rental dealer associations in Missouri, Illinois, and Florida.
For Connelly, supporting those organizations is not simply another industry responsibility.
“In any state we have stores, all of our stores are members,” he said during his acceptance remarks. “Just get involved. It’s a pleasure for me to get involved. I think it’s a responsibility for all of us to get involved.”
That philosophy has carried into his federal advocacy work as well. Connelly has regularly participated in APRO’s Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., joining other RTO leaders in representing the industry.
When presenting the award, Cleek highlighted Connelly’s 37 years in rent-to-own, his journey through industry leadership, his service as an APRO president, and his continued willingness to represent RTO when called upon.
For Connelly, however, receiving an award bearing Tiger’s name brought those decades of involvement back to something more personal: relationships, mentorship, and a shared belief that the industry becomes stronger when its members participate.
“It’s an amazing award,” Connelly said. “I’m honored to receive it.”
The 2026 RTO Tiger Award recognizes Connelly for a career of leadership and a longstanding commitment to the state associations, advocacy efforts, and industry organizations that bring rent-to-own professionals together.
Watch the Acceptance Video on YouTube
About Arona Home Essentials
Arona Home Essentials is a national rent-to-own dealer with more than 50 locations across the United States. The company offers furniture, electronics, appliances, tires, and other home essentials through flexible weekly, biweekly, and monthly rental-payment options. Arona Home Essentials has been an APRO member since 2004.
