Leading Executives in Rent-To-Own Stores
Fahmi Karam
Chief Executive Officer, Upbound Group (Rent‑A‑Center, Acima)
Became CEO of Upbound Group on June 1, 2025 after serving as CFO; known for leading the RAC/Acima omni‑channel platform and digital transformation agenda.
Anthony Blasquez
EVP, Rent‑A‑Center, Upbound Group (Rent‑A‑Center)
Runs the Rent‑A‑Center brand globally; long‑time RAC operator regarded as a field‑first leader who scaled RAC’s core store business post‑rebrand to Upbound.
Tyler Montrone
EVP, Acima, Upbound Group (Acima)
Heads Acima, Upbound’s nationwide lease‑to‑own fintech; promoted in 2023 to lead product, engineering and underwriting into retail partnerships at scale.
Ann L. Davids
EVP, Chief Marketing & Customer Officer, Upbound Group
Oversees marketing and customer strategy across Upbound brands, recognized for driving customer acquisition and loyalty in rent‑to‑own retail.
Douglas A. Lindsay
Chief Executive Officer, The Aaron’s Company (private, 2024 go‑private)
Retail veteran who has led Aaron’s since 2020, including the BrandsMart U.S.A. integration and the company’s go‑private transaction in 2024.
Stephen (Steve) Olsen
President, The Aaron’s Company
President of Aaron’s, responsible for omnichannel operations and execution across company‑operated and franchised stores.
C. Kelly Wall
EVP & Chief Financial Officer, The Aaron’s Company
Finance chief guiding Aaron’s capital structure through the 2024 take‑private and ongoing transformation.
Russell Falkenstein
EVP & Chief Operating Officer, Lease‑to‑Own, The Aaron’s Company
Leads lease‑to‑own operations for Aaron’s and BrandsMart Leasing; elevated to EVP & COO (LTO) to sharpen field execution and growth.
Steven A. (Steve) Michaels
President & Chief Executive Officer, PROG Holdings (Progressive Leasing, Vive, Four)
CEO since 2020; previously ran the Progressive segment and is credited with steering PROG’s fintech ecosystem strategy and growth.
Trevor Thatcher
Chief Operations Officer, Progressive Leasing, PROG Holdings / Progressive Leasing
Operations head for Progressive Leasing, driving partner performance and portfolio outcomes across thousands of retail locations.
Michael (Mike) Bennett
Chief Executive Officer, Buddy’s Home Furnishings
Industry operator who rose through RTO ranks to lead Buddy’s; known for accelerating franchise and company‑store growth and service metrics.
Adam Sutton
Chief Executive Officer, RNR Tire Express
Promoted to CEO in 2024; leads nearly 200 rent‑to‑own tire and wheel franchise locations with a growth and culture‑first mandate.
Larry Sutton
Founder & President (Franchising), RNR Tire Express
Founder and longtime face of rent‑to‑own tires/wheels; APRO Hall of Fame member credited with pioneering the category’s franchise model.
Larry Carrico
Chief Executive Officer, Rent One / RNR Midwest (SKC Enterprises)
Four‑decade RTO entrepreneur who built Rent One across the Midwest and remains an influential industry voice and employer.
Trent Agin
President, Rent One
Company president recognized with Rent One’s Legacy Award; drives field operations and growth for the multistate chain.
Ernie Lewallen
President / Owner, UHR Rents (United Household Rentals)
Lifetime RTO leader and APRO past president; runs UHR Rents and co‑owns RNR locations in the Cincinnati/NKY region.
Mike Tissot
President & Owner, Countryside Rentals dba Rent‑2‑Own (OH/KY)
Second‑generation owner credited with expanding Rent‑2‑Own past 40 stores and serving in multiple industry leadership posts (APRO, TRIB, ORDA).
BBB profile | industry profile
Trooper Earle
President & Chief Executive Officer, Premier Companies (Premier Rental‑Purchase)
Franchise pioneer who acquired Premier in the 1990s and built a national network; recently acquired remaining ColorTyme franchises.
Howard F. Hambleton
President, American First Finance, American First Finance (a FirstCash company)
Leads AFF as president within FirstCash, overseeing one of the largest omni‑channel LTO and retail finance platforms in the U.S.
investor relations | SEC filing
Orlando Zayas
Chief Executive Officer, Katapult Holdings
CEO of the e‑commerce‑focused LTO provider, known for launching Katapult Pay and pivoting the business to multi‑channel originations.
investor relations | company site
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