Rent-to-own Events - RTO Customer of the Year and Employee of the Year Awards

APRO's Employee and Customer of the Year are those customers and employees who inspire, help or sacrifice for the betterment of their families and/or communities—just like the previous recipients listed below have done. If one of your customers and/or employees represent rent-to-own with such honor and character then be sure to submit their name's for APRO's 2008 Employee and Customer of the Year contest. The DEADLINE for 2008's Employee and Customer of the Year is July 14, 2008.

APRO's Employee of the Year receives an all-expense paid trip to APRO's annual convention in St. Louis, MO where he or she will be honored during APRO's General Session on August 13th in St. Louis, MO in front of the national audience attending APRO's annual convention. APRO's Customer of the Year receives a $1000 cash prize as well as the RTO company who finds the Customer of the Year wins a $500 cash prize. We are looking for rent-to-own employees and customers who are involved in their communities and families that touch the humanitarian and giving spirit. Here is the web page to download the application.

In 2007, APRO honored Employee of the Year winning recipient Jonathan Brown in front of his grandparents, co-workers and nearly 1000 rent-to-own owners, employees and vendors at APRO's annual convention and buying show in Reno, NV. Jonathan is the eighth consecutive recipient of the national award recognizing rent-to-own employees who go beyond their job contributing to society and the community.

To view the stories of APRO's past winners, please read below.

Rent-to-Own Employee of the Year recipients

2007 Jonathan Brown 

BestWay Rent-to-Own, Tappahannock, Virginia.  Brown received the rent-to-own industry’s highest award for store level employees for his community involvement efforts and his dedication to his family. (READ MORE)

2006 Murray Beck 

Rent One, Mt. Vernon, Illinois Beck has raised awareness of, and funds for, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and is an inspiration to many in his community. (READ MORE)

2005 Paul Russell  

Blue Ribbon Rentals, Saint Clairsville, Ohio This youth pastor doesn't know the meaning of the word "can't." Ohio flood victims, teens in need and many others have been recipients of Russell's generosity. (READ MORE)

2004 Jody Katz  

Buddy’s Home Furnishings, Tampa, Florida Katz has been instrumental in getting local children fingerprinted in coordination with the Child Protection Education of America. (READ MORE)

2003 Anthony Robinson  

Rent-A-Center, Lakewood, Colorado Robinson is a single father who takes care of four girls after the tragic loss of their mothers. (READ MORE)

2002 Ronnie Williams  

RentWay, Harrisburg, Illinois Williams helps the homeless, needy and hungry through the local shelter. (READ MORE)

2001 Josef Warren  

New Image Rent-To-Own, Colorado Springs, Colorado This clergyman counsels the terminally ill, victims and prisoners. (READ MORE)

2000 Eric Ison  

Showplace Lease/Purchase, Bellefontaine, Ohio Ison helped build a community playground, sponsor a food and toy drive for the local community. (READ MORE)

Rent-to-Own Customer of the Year recipients

 
2007 No recipient

2006 No recipient 

2005 Johnnie Bradford  

Baber's, Columbus, Mississippi Bradford founded a church in 1990 and since then has spearheaded development of a youth center and senior citizens' center. (READ MORE)

2004 Patrick and Marianna Head 

Baber's, Tupelo, Mississippi This couple helps their community through church activities which fight poverty, homelessness and hunger. (READ MORE)

2003 Donna Brown  

Baber's, Tupelo, Mississippi Brown is a preacher and counsels troubled teens and adults to a better life. (READ MORE)

2002 Norma Burgenger  

Stanley’s Rent-to-Own, Vinita, Oklahoma Burgenger helps the homeless, hungry and foster children in her local community. (READ MORE)

2001 James and Brenda Atchison  

Rent One, Mt. Vernon, Illinois These foster parents raised seven foster children in their community. (READ MORE)

2000 Maria Magdalena Estrada  

Fiesta Rent-To-Own, El Paso, Texas Estrada, a single mother and teacher, inspired her children and community to reach any goal you set. (READ MORE)