ATLANTA, Aug. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- W. Kenneth Butler has been named to the
Board of Directors of Aaron Rents, Inc. (NYSE: RNT), the nation's leader in
the rental, rental purchase and specialty retailing of residential and office
furniture, consumer electronics and home appliances. Mr. Butler, 47, is
President of the Aaron's Rental Purchase division of Aaron Rents, Inc.
The appointment was announced by R. Charles Loudermilk, Sr., Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of Aaron Rents. "We are very pleased to have Ken
Butler join our Board," Mr. Loudermilk said. "He brings the specialized
knowledge and insights gained in more than a quarter-century with the Company.
Having advanced through the ranks, Ken knows the rental and rental purchase
business from the bottom to the top, and we expect him to make important
contributions to the Board."
Mr. Butler began his career with Aaron Rents in 1974 as a Store Manager.
He advanced to Regional Manager, first in the Washington/Baltimore Region and
then in the Western Region, as the Company was then organized. He was named
National Merchandising and Sales Manager in 1983, serving until 1986 when he
was moved up to Vice President of Aaron's Rental Purchase division. In
February, 1995, he was promoted to the newly created position of President of
the division.
Under Butler's leadership, Aaron's Rental Purchase has grown to currently
more than 410 stores and has become the Company's growth leader. The division
has received strong impetus from a franchising program introduced in 1992, and
it consistently ranks among the top U.S. franchisers in national surveys.
Aaron Rents, Inc., based in Atlanta, currently has more than 510 Company-
operated and franchised stores in 39 states for the rental and sale of
residential and office furniture, accessories, consumer electronics and
household appliances. The Company manufactures furniture, bedding and
accessories at ten facilities in four states.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1993: Statements in this news release regarding Aaron Rents, Inc.'s
business which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that
involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ
from those contained in the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of
such risks and uncertainties, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 1999, which discussion is incorporated herein
by this reference.
SOURCE Aaron Rents, Inc.
CONTACT: Gilbert L. Danielson, Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of Aaron Rents, Inc., 404-231-0011/