ATLANTA, Aug. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Aaron Rents, Inc. (NYSE: RNT),
the nation's leader in the sales and lease ownership, specialty retailing and
rental of residential and office furniture, consumer electronics and home
appliances and accessories, today announced that John C. Portman, Jr. has been
elected to its Board of Directors.
Mr. Portman is founder and Chairman of Atlanta-based, John Portman &
Associates, architects and engineers, Portman Holdings, LLC, a full service
real estate development company, as well as AMC Inc., parent company of
AMERICASMART-ATLANTA, the world's largest single trade mart/trade show
facility. Mr. Portman is an internationally acclaimed architect and developer
who pioneered the concept of architect as developer. He has developed premier
projects on three continents over the past five decades and has been called
America's most influential living architect.
"John Portman is a world figure in architecture and development and he
brings invaluable business skills and experience to our Board of Directors,"
said R. Charles Loudermilk, Sr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aaron
Rents. "We look forward to his contributions to the future growth and success
of Aaron Rents."
Mr. Portman made architectural history and gained international
recognition with his first hotel, the Hyatt Regency Atlanta which features a
22-story atrium and is part of the Peachtree Center complex in downtown
Atlanta. Among his other major projects are the Embarcadero Center in San
Francisco, Marina Square in Singapore and Shanghai Centre in China, all
incorporating art as an integral element. He not only supports the arts and
collects art, but he is also a painter and sculptor. Three major books have
been written about his work.
Aaron Rents, Inc. based in Atlanta, currently has more than 1,250 Company-
operated and franchised stores in 47 states and Canada for the rental and sale
of residential and office furniture, accessories, consumer electronics and
household appliances. The Company also manufactures furniture, bedding and
accessories at 12 facilities in five states.
SOURCE Aaron Rents, Inc.
CONTACT:
Gilbert L. Danielson,
Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer of Aaron Rents, Inc.,
+1-678-402-3334
/Web site: http://www.aaronrents.com
(RNT)