Rent-to-own News - RNR Awards first ever scholarships

Two members of the RNR Custom Wheels and Performance Tires family are the first recipients of what will become an annual honor established by the country's largest wheel and tire rental franchise.

The new scholarship fund was established in honor of company president Larry Sutton's mother, Faye Sutton, who died earlier this year.

"After she (Faye) passed away, we talked about putting together a fund within the RNR family for a scholarship in her honor," said principal organizer and Rent-n-Roll franchisee Larry Carrico. "Each year we can use the scholarship to honor someone and then it's a win for everyone."

This year Rent-n-Roll is awarding two $2,500 scholarships to Brandon S. Burrell of Mobile, Alabama and Kelly Spencer Pierce of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Burrell works at a Rent-N-Roll owned by Shannon and Cynthia Baber-Strunk and is a student at the University of Southern Alabama studying Criminal Justice.

Kelly Spencer Pierce is the son of Kelly W. Pierce who works at a Las Vegas Rent-n-Roll owned by Ernie Lewallen. He is recent high school graduate.

RNR President Larry Sutton said he was thrilled and humbled by the honor to his mother who, through her 25 years in RTO, left an indelible mark on a number of rent-to-own companies during the industry's formative years. Faye Sutton had both a direct and indirect impact on RTO companies past and present including, Buddy BiRite, Buddy's Home Furnishings, Champion TV and Appliance Rentals, Rent King and Rent-n-Roll.

"This is a great honor for my mother and a great opportunity for Rent-n-Roll to finally do some of the things we've wanted to do as a company," Sutton said. "I've received a couple of prestigious awards in this industry, but naming this scholarship after my mother is definitely the highlight."

The RNR scholarship recipients will be recognized at the APRO Convention in Little Rock next week.