Rent-to-own News - TRIB Group purchases $20 million, names award winners

Dick Eichlin (l), TRIB Group's 2010 President's Award Winner, with Lyn Leach Tuesday.

Dick Eichlin, a 31-year rent to own industry veteran, took home TRIB Group's most prestigious award -- the Norman W. "Slats" Slatton Sr. President's Award -- Tuesday night at a special awards banquet at the Fantasy of Flight Museum in Polk City, Florida that closed out the rent to own buying group's winter convention and buy fair in Orlando.

The selection of Eichlin for the "Slats" award was based on the strength not only of Eichlin's commitment to the rental industry -- he is a long time active TRIB member and past APRO board member -- but on his commitment to his fellow rental dealers, said TRIB Group President Lyn Leach.

"Dick Eichlin is one of my all time rent to own heros," said Leach, who had the privilege of choosing the award winner. "He's one of the most genuinely caring men I have ever met and a big TRIB recruiter. He's at every function. He not only wants you to join, but he wants you to get everything out of it you can. I consider him a mentor."

Eichlin entered the business in 1980 as a store manager for Universal TV Rentals. Together with his wife, Miriam, they opened Shenandoah TV & Appliance Rentals (STAR Rentals) in 1987.

He served seven years on the APRO Board of Directors and won APRO's Heritage Award in 2005.

For the first time in TRIB Group's history, there was a tie for the always competitive "Lowrey Shrader People's Choice Award" for Vendor of the Year. Members not only voted in a tie, but a three way tie between Jim Thompson of Serta, Brian Duke of O'Rourke Sales Company and Kelly McClellan of Archbrook Laguna.

"We counted the votes three times," Leach said. "The membership votes for Vendor of the Year and it's for the vendor they feel has best served them and helped them with their business. I know all these people and we are fortunate to be partners with them."

TRIB Group Executive Director Dennis Shields also reported TRIB Group turned in $20 million in purchase orders over the two day buying show in Orlando which was $2 million more than the 2010 show.

The awards banquet concluded with an ariel light show performed by a 1944 WWII bomber plane.

See complete photo gallery of the TRIB Group Convention and Buying Show and Awards Banquet here.