What is APRO?

What is APRO? - Honoring the Rent-to-own Industry's Finest

The APRO "Buddy" Awards are presented every year to those outstanding individuals and organizations that have raised the level of what can be done to better the industry for everyone. The "Buddys" are named in honor of APRO's founder and first president Bud Holladay.

 

The recipients are named at the annual APRO Awards Banquet held during the association's Convention and Trade Show.

 

APRO's Hall of Honor:

 

Ernie Talley Lifetime Achievement Award


  • Mark Speese, 2011
  • Kevin Quinn, 2010
  • Gary McDougal, 2009
  • Charlie Loudermilk, 2008
  • Dave Egan, 2007
  • Larry Sutton, 2006
  • Lyle Jones, 2005
  • Darrell Tissot, 2004
  • Ernie Talley, 2003
  • Wayland J. Russell, 2002
  • Barry Gambini, 2001
  • Chuck Sims, 2000
  • Norman Slatton Sr., 1999
  • Chris Korst, 1999
  • Bill White, 1998
  • Ed Winn III, 1996
  • Wayne Chambers, 1995
  • Bud Holladay, 1995

 

President’s Award of Excellence


  • Cynthia Baber Strunk, 2011
  • Richard May, 2010
  • David P. David, 2009
  • Mike Tissot, 2008
  • Gary McDougal, 2007
  • Terry Beville, 2006
  • Kevin Quinn, 2005
  • Jim Brown, 2004
  • Ron Waters, 2003

                  2011 Award Recipients  

    2011 Lifetime Achievement Award winner Mark Speese pictured with wife, Carolyn, and daughters Jessica and Allison.

     

     



     


     


     

     







     

    2011 Rental Dealer of the Year
    Richard Rose, pictured with wife, Elsa, Roger Sharp and Robert O. Briley.

     

     



     

     

     

     




      

    2011 President's Award of Excellence winner Cynthia Baber-Strunk pictured with husband, Shannon Strunk, and Lou, Robert and Parker Briley.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     








     

    2011 Heritage Award winner
    Sidney Burton pictured with wife, Grace, and Robert, Lou and Parker Briley.
     


     











    2011 Vendor of the Year winner
    Sherry Workman pictured with Lou Briley.

  • Larry Carrico, 2002
  • Bill Keese, 2001
  • Darrell Tissot, 2000
  • Richard Bartel, 1999
  • Ernie Talley, 1998
  • Tracey Morgan, 1997
  • Ernie Lewallen, 1996
  • Ronald D. DeMoss, 1995
  • Larry Sutton, 1994
  • Ted Wilson, 1993
  • Bud Holladay, 1992
  • Chris Korst, 1991
  • Ken Gay, 1990
  • Wayne Chambers, 1989
  • Bill Morgenstern, 1988
  • Dave Egan, 1987
  • Tom Devlin, 1986
  • Rozanne Flatt, 1986
  • Ed Winn III, 1985
  • Barry Gambini, 1984
  • Bud Holladay, 1983
  • Charles D. Sims, 1982

 

Rental Dealer of the Year


  • Richard Rose, 2011
  • Jamie Slatton, 2010
  • Dave Edwards, 2009
  • Chris Bolin, 2008
  • John Darden, 2007
  • John Spangle, 2006
  • Robert Briley, 2005
  • Martin Auble, 2004
  • Shannon Strunk and Cynthia Baber-Strunk, 2003
  • Gary Hughes, 2002
  • James Byrd, 2001
  • Lyn Leach, 2001
  • David P. David, 2000
  • Tom Neyhart, 1999
  • Larry Carrico, 1998
  • Dan Weiss, 1997
  • “Tiger” John Cleek, 1996
  • James Strong, 1995
  • Gary McDougal, 1994
  • Mamie Harper, 1993
  • Kevin Quinn, 1992
  • Bob Simons, 1991
  • Allen Lewis, 1990
  • Roger Sharp, 1989

 

Heritage Award


  • Sidney Burton, 2011
  • Charles Smithgall, 2010
  • Larry and Brenda Tinney, 2009
  • Jeff Lebakken, 2008
  • David P. David and Steve Kruse, 2007
  • Chuck Kuluva and Jeff Loeb, 2006
  • Dan Cole and Richard Eichlin, 2005

 

Norm Smith Vendor of the Year


  • Sherry Workman, 2011
  • Bryan Collins, 2010
  • John Blair, 2009
  • Susan Matthews, 2008
  • Bill French, 2007
  • Ellison Crider, RSSS, 2006
  • Wayne Harris, Sandberg Furniture, 2005
  • Ron Wanek, Ashley Furniture, 2004
  • John Foster, Alliance Computing Technologies, 2003
  • John Rogers, High Touch, 2002
  • Dennis Shields, TRIB Group, 2001
  • Bob Saunders, Saunders Marketing, 2000
  • Brad Wire, Whirlpool, 1999
  • Les Feldser, RSSS, 1998
  • Joe Savovic, Progressive Furniture, 1997
  • Al Zagorniak, Sears, 1996
  • Steve Owens, Foresight, 1995
  • Danny Wright, Foresight, 1995
  • Bonnie Nitzsche, Bonnie the Flyer Specialist, 1994
  • Tim Shannon, Thomson, 1994
  • Tom Kitchens, Whirlpool, 1993
  • Lyle Jones, High Touch, 1992
  • Norm Smith, Zenith, 1991

 

State Association of the Year


  • Texas, 2011
  • Missouri, 2010
  • Illinois, 2009
  • New York, 2008
  • Missouri, 2007
  • Florida, 2006
  • Missouri, 2005
  • Arkansas, 2004
  • Ohio, 2003
  • Indiana, 2002
  • Florida, 2001
  • Texas, 2000
  • Louisiana, 1999
  • Illinois and Missouri, 1998
  • New Jersey and Ohio, 1997
  • Ohio, 1996
  • Arkansas, 1995
  • Missouri, 1994
  • Florida, 1993
  • Texas, 1992
  • Indiana, 1991

 

 

Most-Improved State Association


  • Kansas, 2011
  • Texas, 2010
  • Pennsylvania, 2009
  • Illinois, 2008
  • New York, 2007
  • Tennessee, 2006
  • Ohio, 2005
  • Missouri, 2004
  • Arkansas, 2003
  • California, 2002
  • Colorado, 2001
  • New York, 2000
  • Florida, 1999
  • Vermont, 1998
  • Wisconsin, 1997
  • New Jersey, 1996
  • Massachusetts, 1995
  • New York, 1994
  • Michigan, 1993
  • Ohio, 1992
  • Alabama, 1991

 

Emerging Excellence


  • Delaware-New Jersey, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Wisconsin, 2011
  • Northeast RDA (representing Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island), Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Delaware-New Jersey, New York, Florida, Ohio, Tennessee and Oklahoma, 2010
  • Northeast RDA, Southwest RDA, Georgia and Delaware-New Jersey, 2009
  • Kentucky and Minnesota, 2008
  • Louisiana, Northwest (formerly Idaho, Oregon and Washington), Pennsylvania and West Virginia, 2007

 

State Legislative Achievement


  • Illinois, 2011
  • Pennsylvania, 2010
  • New York, 2009
  • Iowa and Indiana, 2008
  • Texas, 2007
  • California, 2006
  • Arkansas and California, 2005
  • Florida, 2004
  • Texas, 2003
  • Wisconsin, 2002
  • Nebraska, 2001
  • Kentucky, 2000

 

State Association Continued Excellence


  • Indiana, West Virginia, Kentucky, Minnesota, Louisiana, Tennessee, Ohio, Missouri, Florida and Kansas, 2009
  • California, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Northwest Rental Dealers Association, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas, 2008
  • California, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee, 2007
  • Alabama/Mississippi, Texas, Missouri, Ohio, 2006
  • Alabama/Mississippi, Florida, Illinois and Tennessee, 2005
  • Alabama/Mississippi, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Oregon, Texas and Wisconsin, 2004
  • California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana and Missouri, 2003
  • Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Texas, 2002
  • Arkansas, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio and Texas, 2001
  • Indiana, 2000

 

APRO Board Presidents


  • Robert Briley, 2010-2011
  • "Tiger" John Cleek, 2008-2009
  • Larry Carrico, 2006-2008
  • Shannon Strunk, 2004-06
  • Lyn Leach 2003-04
  • Gary Romine 2002-03
  • Gary McDougal, 1999-2002
  • Ernie Lewallen, 1998-99
  • Darrell Tissot, 1997-98
  • Bill White 1995-97
  • Kevin Quinn, 1993-95
  • Wayne Chambers, 1991-93
  • Ted Wilson, 1989-91
  • Dick Grauel, 1988-89
  • Mac Hennigan 1986-88
  • Glenn Davis, 1985-86
  • Bud Holladay, 1985
  • Barry Gambini, 1982-85
  • Bud Holladay, 1980-82

 

Rental-Purchase Employee of the Year


  • Donna Falley, 2011
  • David Lane, 2010
  • David Keen, 2009
  • Bill Tennison, 2008
  • Jonathan Brown, 2007
  • Murray Beck, 2006
  • Paul Russell, 2005
  • Jody Katz, 2004
  • Anthony Robinson, 2003
  • Ronnie D. Williams, 2002
  • Josef Warren, 2001
  • Eric Ison, 2000

 

Rental-Purchase Customer(s) of the Year


  • Vivian Saunders, 2011
  • Louise Brown, 2010
  • Sherron and Robert Wilder, 2009
  • Kim Royal, 2008
  • Johnnie Bradford, 2005
  • Patrick and Marianna Head, 2004
  • Donna Brown, 2003
  • Norma Burgenger, 2002
  • James and Brenda Atchison, 2001
  • Maria Magdalena Estrada, 2000

 

Join APRO Today!

For more information:
800/204-2776, ext. 109
Fax 512/794-0097
E-mail Shelley Martinek, APRO's member services director




2012 APRO Dave Egan
Legislative Conference

April 17-19, Washington, D.C.
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RTOHQ: The Magazine
RTOHQ: The Magazine is the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations' award-winning rent-to-own industry magazine, and it's available here.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR DIGITAL RTOHQ: THE MAGAZINE

 

RTOHQ: The Magazine’s upgraded digital format

APRO's new, mobile-ready magazine is now available in addition to our print edition. The digital format provides the same informative content as our printed magazine, but also offers tools to make the reading experience more enriching. Access the table of contents page with one click or tap. Get additional information from advertisers by clicking on the links in their ads. The interface is easy to navigate and requires no special app—read our magazine on your computer, digital table or smartphone. Click here to access the digital version of RTOHQ: The Magazine November-December 2011.

 

Marketing Matters

This year marks the launch of a marketing campaign initiated by APRO to build the rent-to-own customer base. It will be a multi-year endeavor employing multiple strategies. In this and upcoming issues of our magazine, we will address the many facets of marketing that affect our industry.

 

Striving for an A with the BBB

by William E. Freeland

Consumers often refer to the Better Business Bureau's ratings to help them make rental and purchasing decisions. National Rent-to-Own's human resource manager outlines the steps every RTO company should pursue to help earn an A+ from the BBB.

 

Creating an Extraordinary Customer Experience

by Bill Keese

Apple does it. Southwest Airlines does it. Can the rent-to-own industry also garner a national reputation for exceptional service and, in the process, attract new customers?

 

BB and BBQ on Beale Street

Memphis' reputation for tremendous food, groundbreaking music and Southern charm is well deserved. It's not too early to start planning your trip there next July for APRO's 2012 Rent-to-Own Convention and Trade Show.

 

Card Talk

by Ed Winn III

Credit and debit card payments are on the rise in rent-to-own. So are the risks in keeping such transactions secure.

 

Rent-to-Own Families, Part VI

by Kristen Card

No, you're not seeing double, or are you? Our latest profiles of kindred colleagues include two sets of twins-the Botkins and the Kimbles. And in Kansas, a son and daughter help their dad keep business running Strong.

 

 

Future issues of APRO's magazine will be available in this same new format. Click here to access past issues that are not yet archived in the new interface.

 

Association of Progressive Rental Organizations
1504 Robin Hood Trail
Austin, Texas 78703
800/204-2776, ext. 103
Fax 512/794-0097