From developing distinction to grassroots greatness, APRO recognizes rent-to-own rockstars who continued to contribute despite COVID-19
Let’s face it: We all thought 2020 was going to be The Year of Coronavirus, and 2021 was going to be The Year We All Got Our Lives Back – but the delta variant had other plans. Nevertheless, rent-to-own persisted, and many have not only survived but are thriving in spite of the crazy curveballs COVID-19 continues to pitch.
At the RTO World 2021 APRO Awards Luncheon, we spotlighted a handful of rent-to-own individuals who are APRO members, and who have worked with deep caring and commitment to keep on elevating excellence for the RTO industry as a whole.
APRO RTO Tiger Award
for exceptional work at the state level
The APRO RTO Tiger Award was created last year to recognize exceptional work at the state level – someone who has championed rent-to-own legislative efforts at the grassroots level and strengthened our state-level industry outreach.
The first recipient of the Tiger Award was its namesake, rent-to-own legend “Tiger” John Cleek, – partner and president of Missouri-based Cleek’s Home Furnishings/Rentals & Sales, former APRO President, 14-year APRO board member, Co-Founder of the APRO State Association Coordination Committee, 48-year RTO veteran, and industry icon.
This year, Tiger’s son, John Cleek, Jr., took the stage to present his father’s namesake award, as Tiger has been diagnosed with ALS – a degenerative, incurable, and lethal neuromuscular disease – and is unable to travel. John introduced the award, then tossed to a video message his dad had made for his lifetime of friends and colleagues attending RTO World.
“We cannot be complacent,” Tiger said about the important work of state associations. “We never know when once again, we might come under attack. Remember, we provide valuable goods and services for our millions of customers, plus great jobs for our employees. We must always stand up for them.
“We talk about standing up,” he continued, his voice struggling. “Some of the best friends I have in the world are in the RTO industry. When I came down with ALS, I asked for your help for me and my family, and I am indebted to you; you answered my prayers. Together, we’re going to beat this disease. God bless y’all.”
As Tiger’s message concluded, the ballroom rose to its collective feet and roared with applause – a minutes-long and well-earned standing ovation from the rent-to-own industry for one of its finest.
John Jr. acknowledged the outpouring of affection and respect, and offered an update on his dad’s health.
“The prognosis for ALS is two to five years,” he explained. “My dad’s a fighter, and he’s doing all he can to tackle this disease – he’s involved in the HEALEY Clinical Trial, he’s got a world-renowned doctor, he’s taking special drugs and doing infusions. He’s getting the best care he can, he’s a strong Christian, and he remains very optimistic.”
John Jr. and his father had fundraised from their RTO colleagues for the ALS Association Walk to Defeat ALS, held in Columbia, Missouri, in August. John noted that the original goal for the walk was $45,000 for all teams; at the time of publication, “Team Tiger” had raised almost $83,000 on its own, and the walk overall brought in an incredible $133,000.
“It’s very tough not having him here,” said John, choking up. “But we’re a very close family, and we’re going to get through this. Again, we deeply appreciate everything you guys do for us, for our family.”
As a final favor, John Jr. asked the crowd to again stand up and join him in creating a video reply for Tiger. A ballroom full of Cleek’s friends, colleagues, and supporters loudly cheered him and the team he loves second only to God and his family – the University of Missouri Tigers:
“M-I-Z-Z-O-U ! WE LOVE YOU, TIGER!”
An Update from Tiger Cleek…
“I’m adapting pretty well, and am about to begin a new drug shown to slow the progression [of ALS] by 25%. My family and friends have been so supportive, my weekly Bible study group keeps my spirits high, and I’m very appreciative of my son, who has stepped up to successfully run our company.”
APRO RTO Tiger Award
for exceptional work at the state level
Paul Davis
Nations Rent-To-Own Sales & Leasing
Paul Davis roared into rent-to-own in 1998, when he founded Nations Rent-To-Own Sales & Leasing in Southern California. Today, Nations has multiple locations serving eight inland SoCal communities, as well as a highly successful e-commerce presence. Davis also runs a consulting business, in which he conducts audits, performs trainings, and manages governmental affairs for organizations in Arizona, California, and Nevada.
But the biggest contribution Davis has made to the RTO industry is through the California Association of Progressive Rental Organizations (Cal-APRO), which he founded in 2002 and of which he serves as President today. Over the past 19 years, he has co-authored four rent-to-own-related state bills, helped implement the California Rental Purchase Act, and provided expert testimony in legislative hearings in both Sacramento and Washington, D.C.
Davis has also coordinated and participated in annual legislative days with local, state, and federal policymakers, and created training programs in government, media, and customer relations for Cal-APRO members and their employees. As a byproduct of his commitment to his industry and his state, Cal-APRO has been honored by APRO over the years for Most Improved State Association, twice for Legislative Achievement, and twice for Continued Excellence.
“I’m so honored because I know John Cleek, Sr., have known him for many years” said Davis about receiving the award. “He’s an extraordinary man. So please, remember him in your minds, in your hearts, and in everything you do.”
APRO Rental Dealer of the Year
for activity to improve the RTO industry over the past year, as well as involvement in state or regional associations
Chad Fosdick
CR Fosdick Ent. Inc, dba Premier Rental-Purchase
A Nebraska native and U.S. Army veteran, Chad Fosdick fell in love twice over 16 years ago – with his wife and with rent-toown. Fosdick started his family just six months after joining Rent-Way in 2005, and spent the next eight years working as an award-winning store manager for Rent-Way and Rent-ACenter, a truck driver and store manager for Premier Rental-Purchase, and a regional manager for Aaron’s.
In 2013, Fosdick opened up his own Premier Rental-Purchase franchise in North Platte, Nebraska. The next year, he noticed a need and launched a Mr. Appliance repair franchise, which enjoys a successfully symbiotic relationship with his Premier store.
Not only have both of his franchises flourished – his Premier store was named the company’s Franchise of the Year for 2020 – but also Fosdick generously gives back to his community and his industry. He has served as an active APRO Board Member since 2019, helping grow the association through his work.
APRO Emerging Leader Award
for rising among us into the ranks of rent-to-own leadership
Allison Manley
Showplace, Inc.
Allison Manley came into RTO almost eight years ago from her position as the Executive Director of Marion, Ohio’s local Boys & Girls Club. Manley initially joined Showplace Rent to Own as a finance manager and has steadily climbed the corporate ladder to her current position as Vice President of Administration for the whole company – which includes 15 Central Ohio locations.
Today, Manley leads both the company’s finance and human resources divisions. Her responsibilities include personnel recruitment, training, health and safety, and benefits, as well as company culture, budget preparation, accounts receivable/payable, payroll, internal auditing, legal issues, and facility and fleet management.
APRO Steve Kruse Award
for extraordinary lifelong service and commitment to the RTO industry
Frank Rotert
Ace Furniture & TV Inc., dba Ace Rent-To-Own
Nebraskan Frank Rotert served as a Petty Officer for the U.S. Navy and in the insurance business for Penn Corp Financial before joining Ace Rent- To-Own in 1994 as an account manager. Within a few years, Rotert was promoted to manager of the company’s first store in Lincoln, and within a few more years, he became the company’s first regional manager. In 2007, Rotert was named Vice President of Operations, and in 2016, he joined owners Lyn and Natalie Leach as a partner in the business.
As the Leaches know, Rotert doesn’t believe in the word “can’t,” and doesn’t accept it from others. He applies the same can-do approach to his involvement in the Iowa-Nebraska Rental Dealers Association, where he recently served as President. Not surprisingly, under his leadership, the organization has received the APRO State Association Continued Excellence Award every year since 2018.
APRO Heritage Award
for consistent and continual support of the rent-to-own industry by an “unsung hero”
Bill Howard
RNR Kentucky LLC, dba RNR Tire Express
Bill Howard has spent more than three decades in RTO creating his own success story while contributing to many others. He joined Full-O-Pep Appliances, dba American Rental, in 1989 as a part-time delivery tech by day and a video-store clerk by night. By the next year, he was managing his own store and realizing he had found his career. Over the next 29 years, this man personally managed 13 different locations before becoming a regional manager for the company.
At the very beginning of 2020, Howard decided the time was right to own his own business, and today, is President of RNR Kentucky LLC dba RNR Tire Express. Additionally, he serves as President of the Kentucky Rental Dealers Association; under his leadership, the organization received the APRO Continued Excellence Award last year. Howard has an amazing ability to look at a business, a store, or an individual and see – and believe in – their possibilities.
APRO President’s Award
for special efforts performed by an individual on behalf of everyone involved in the RTO industry
Robbie Kamerschen
Greenberg Traurig LLP
A Georgia native, Robbie Kamerschen grew up a natural athlete. He attended Stanford University on a baseball and football scholarship, and earned a degree in political science, which he put to use working for Alabama Senator Richard Shelby in Washington, D.C. Kamerschen returned home to earn his J.D. at the University of Georgia, and went to work first for national law firm Troutman Sanders LLP, then for Equifax.
Then, eight years ago, Kamerschen joined Aaron’s, LLC as Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer. During his tenure there, he served as President of the Aaron’s Foundation, launched the Aaron’s Scholars Program, and was involved in several initiatives aimed at enriching company culture.
Earlier this year, Kamerschen joined the global law firm Greenberg Traurig LLP, as a Shareholder. He has served as an APRO Board Member since 2015, and has helped lead the APRO Annual Legislative Conference.
APRO Vendor of the Year
for demonstrating support and involvement with APRO through sponsoring events, advertising, exhibiting, and building up the association
Michael Helton
Rivero, Gordimer & Company P.A.
Michael Helton has been providing RTO clientele with first-rate tax counsel and financial guidance for more than 15 years as a Certified Public Accountant who understands the rent-to-own industry from startup and financing to succession and valuation.
Helton earned his degree in Business Administration at Ohio’s Shawnee State University and promptly got his license as a CPA. He joined the Tampa-based accounting and advising firm Rivero, Gordimer & Company P.A., 22 years ago, and has worked with many RTO franchisors, franchisees, and independents – advising them on specific tax and accounting rules and solutions, mergers and acquisitions, and other business consulting.
Over the years, Helton has also become a well-sought speaker, offering valuable insights on industry issues, and for the past five years, has served as a member of the APRO Vendor Advisory Committee.
