Aarons 2006 Annual Report Download - page 15

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We are careful stewards of our assets. The Company has
tight financial controls, and we monitor operations daily.
We are attentive to expenses in all aspects of our business.
Aaron’s is a specialty retailer that is unique with few or
no peers. The Company has been very successful for a
long period of time, and that success has been reflected
in our stock price, which has increased, on average, over
18% per year during the last 10 years ending in 2006.
We are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, are part of
the Standard & Poor’s SmallCap 600 and were named by
Forbes Magazine in January 2007 as one of the 400 Best
Big Companies in America. Aaron Rents was founded
over five decades ago with $500 and now has a market
capitalization of close to $1.5 billion. There is no doubt—
we have the financial resources to continue with our
current growth plans.
within and “grow our own” management. A hard-working
and talented person can become a store manager within a
year or two and continue to advance within the Company.
We have an in-house studio that is used for the production
of “Inside Aaron’s,” which is broadcast to all stores. We use
this production to reach all of our associates with features
on new products, new programs, corporate developments
and other topics of interest.
The tenure of our top management team is unusual in the
current business environment. It is a testimony to both the
culture and to the opportunities within Aaron’s. We call our
NASCAR driving team “the dream team” but that could just
as easily refer to our management team.
We are especially proud of how our employees give back
to their communities. Through ACORP (Aaron’s Community
Outreach Program), each store can give cash back to their
community once certain operating goals are met. As a
result, Aaron’s has worked with and donated to numerous
youth organizations and community nonprofits throughout
the years. Since each Aaron’s store is community-based, it
is important and appropriate to contribute time and
resources in our home communities. We are especially
proud of how our employees responded to the disaster
relief and recovery efforts in the Gulf Coast region following
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Our team worked hard to take
care of customers in the early months and has continued to
work hard to open new stores to service those markets.
We wear the Aaron’s name with pride.
Robin Loudermilk
President, Chief Operating Officer, Aaron Rents, Inc.
Years with Company: 25
Our strong corporate culture is a key factor in the success of the last 50 years and a reason for
confidence in our future. This culture comes from the top,
from our Founder and Chairman, and is seen at every level
throughout the Company. Our rapid growth has offered
attractive career paths for talented associates. We have
invested heavily in training and career development
programs through our “Aaron’s University,” which is also
attended by our franchisees and their employees. Because
of our unique business model, we prefer to promote from
h