Rent-A-Center CEO Mark Speese To Retire, Names Robert Davis CEO Designate

(RTTNews) - Rent-A-Center Inc. (RCII), a rent-to-own home appliances retailer, Wednesday said its co-founder, Mark Speese has decided to retire as chief executive officer, with effect from January 31, 2014. The company's current Chief Financial Officer Robert Davis will don the greasepaint as CEO, effective February 1, 2014. Davis has served as the company's executive vice president of Finance since February 2008 and has also as chief financial officer since March 1999.

Additionally, the company said Michael Wilding, senior vice president of Accounting and Global Controller, will serve as the interim chief financial officer, from February 1, 2014.

Speese will continue in his role as chairman, while the Lead Director of the Board, Lentell, will relinquish that role on January 31, 2014, though will remain as a director.