Rent-A-Center Names Stern as Board Member

December 28, 2008  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on December 29, 2008 Rent-A-Center, which operates 3,000 locations nationwide, announced last week that Paula Stern, Ph.D., has joined the company's board of directors.

Stern is chairwoman of The Stern Group, an international advisory firm with a focus on business and governmental strategy, was chairwoman of the U.S. International Trade commission from 1984 to 1986, and a commissioner from 1978 to 1987. She also serves on the boards of Avon and Hasbro.

Rent-A-Center, Plano, Texas, is the nation's largest rent-to-own operator.

"I am honored that Paula Stern has chosen to become a member of our board of directors," said Mark Speese, the company's chairman and CEO. "Paula brings extensive experience in the areas of international business, economics and government to the board, and will provide skillful leadership as we continue to build on our strategic growth initiatives.”

Stern is filling a vacancy, but the company's press release did not specify which member she is replacing. She will serve as a Class I director until the company's 2010 annual meeting of stockholders.