Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
Davis Out as Rent-A-Center CEO; Speese is Interim Replacement
January 10,
2017 by Larry Thomas in Executive Changes, Industry 
Rent-A-Center announced late yesterday that CEO Robert Davis has resigned, and said board Chairman Mark Speese, the company’s founder and former CEO, will be interim CEO until a permanent replacement is hired.
No reason was given for Davis’ resignation, but the rent-to-own operator said it was effective immediately.
“On behalf of the board and the entire company, I would like to thank Robert for his tireless efforts as our CEO over the past three years,” said Speese. “His leadership has been essential to our operations and business, and we are grateful for his commitment to the company over the past 23 years.”
Davis had been CEO since February 2014. From February 2008 until February 2014, Davis served as the company’s executive vice president of finance.
In addition, he was senior vice president of finance from September 1999 until February 2008, and was vice president of finance and treasurer from September 1998 until September 1999.
“I am extremely proud of what our team has accomplished in the past three years, during a dynamic and challenging environment,” Davis said. “Rent-A-Center has the most engaged workforce in the business, and I have no doubt that they will be able to focus on driving profitable growth while providing a superior customer experience to both the retailer and the consumer. I believe the company is well positioned for the future.”
Speese has been board chairman since October 2001 and has been a director since 1990, He served as the company’s CEO from October 2001 until January 2014.