Aaron's Executives Chad Strickland and John Trainor Recognized as Global Leaders

ATLANTA, Nov. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Aaron's, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), a lease-to-own retailer specializing in the sales and lease ownership of furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories, announced today that two of Aaron's executives, Chad Strickland and John Trainor, have been recognized by industry peers as global leaders. Chad Strickland, Senior Vice President, Associate Resources at Aaron's, has been named a Global HR Top 10 Breakaway Leader. Aaron's Vice President and Chief Information Officer John Trainor has been awarded the 2014 Georgia CIO of the Year® Award in the Global Category.

Gil Danielson, Aaron's interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, said, "Both Chad and John have made a positive impact at Aaron's by leading two of our most important initiatives, our talent and development function, and our innovation through technology.  We commend Chad and John for both of these celebrated honors in their respective fields of expertise."

Strickland was named as a Global HR Top 10 Breakaway Leader, a global award which honors world-class HR leaders and their organizations by their peers. The Top 10 Breakaway Leader Award, presented at the Evanta 2014 Global HR Leadership Summit, is a unique recognition of remarkable leadership and individual innovation, selecting breakaway leaders that are changing the face of human resources. 

The Georgia CIO Leadership Association (GCLA) presented Trainor with the 2014 Georgia CIO of the Year® Award in the Global Category. The association's Georgia CIO of the Year® Awards is the premier technology executive recognition program in the state honoring chief information officers who have demonstrated excellence in technology leadership.

Strickland joined Aaron's in 2002 and as Senior Vice President of Associate Resources at Aaron's, is responsible for the creation, strategy and management of the Associate Resources department supporting more than 12,000 Corporate associates.  With a background in employment law, Strickland has become a catalyst for change within Aaron's as he implements his vision for associate purpose. He serves on the Board of Directors of Warrick Dunn Charities, an Atlanta-based nonprofit, founded by former all-pro running back and philanthropist Warrick Dunn, helping single parents and children thrive academically, socially and economically. Strickland holds a Juris Doctor from Stetson University and a B.A. Political Science degree from Florida State University. 

Trainor joined Aaron's in 1999 and as Vice President and Chief Information Officer, is responsible for leading all aspects of information technology company-wide. He serves as founding Chairman Emeritus of the TAG Mobility Society, as Georgia Technology Summit Chairman, is on the Board of Directors for the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) and is the Membership Chairman for the Georgia CIO Leadership Association (GCLA). Trainor also volunteers and raises money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Georgia. He holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology. 

About Aaron's, Inc.
Aaron's, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), a leader in the sales and lease ownership and specialty retailing of furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories, currently has more than 2,100 Company-operated and franchised stores in 48 states and Canada. Aaron's was founded in 1955, is headquartered in Atlanta and has been publicly traded since 1982. Progressive Leasing, a wholly-owned subsidiary and leading virtual lease-to-own company, provides lease-purchase solutions through over 15,000 retail locations in 46 states.  Aaron's, Inc. includes the Aarons.com, ShopHomeSmart.com and ProgLeasing.com brands.  For more information, visit www.aarons.com.

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SOURCE Aaron's, Inc.

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