Aaron's Founder Charlie Loudermilk Presented With Prestigious Four Pillar Award

Oct 10, 2011

ATLANTA, Oct. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Aaron's, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), a lease-to-own retailer specializing in the sales and lease ownership of residential furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories, announced today that The Council for Quality Growth honored R. Charles "Charlie" Loudermilk, Sr., Founder and Chairman of the Board of Aaron's, Inc., with its 22nd annual Four Pillar Tribute last Thursday at the Georgia World Congress Center.

Paying tribute to Loudermilk and the "Four Pillars" of leadership and success -- Quality,Responsibility, Vision and Integrity -- were John Schuerholz, President, Atlanta Braves; Herman Russell, Chairman of HJ Russell & Company; John Portman, Chairman, Portman Holdings; and Ambassador Andrew Young, Co-Founder and Chairman of Good Works International, LLC.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed also made welcoming remarks while Paul Garcia, Chairman and CEO of Global Payments Inc., served as emcee. Musical tributes were provided by the Georgia State University School of Music and Nashville recording artist Brittini Black, who performed a song penned especially for Loudermilk.

The evening concluded with a surprise announcement from Loudermilk pledging to donate $50,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Atlanta.

ABOUT AARON'S, INC:

Aaron's, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), the nation's leader in the sales and lease ownership and specialty retailing of residential furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories, has more than 1,900 Company-operated and franchised stores in 48 states and Canada. Founded in 1955 by entrepreneur R. Charles Loudermilk, Sr. and headquartered in Atlanta, Aaron's has been publicly traded since 1982. For more information, visit http://www.aarons.com/.

ABOUT THE FOUR PILLAR AWARD:

The Four Pillars of Quality, Responsibility, Vision and Integrity are the principles on which the Council was founded in 1985 and continues to focus upon today. Now in its 22nd year, this annual leadership award celebrates the accomplishments of outstanding individuals who have undoubtedly made the world around them a better place.

ABOUT THE COUNCIL FOR QUALITY GROWTH:

Now in its 26th year, the Council for Quality Growth promotes balanced and responsible growth through the platforms of advocacy, information and education. The Council addresses strategic economic development, planning and infrastructure needs as well as tough quality of life issues. The Council is proactively involved in the formulation of policy and legislation critical to economic development and represents its members on local, regional, state and federal issues.

SOURCE Aaron's, Inc.