Dexter Missouri Native, National APRO Finalist

Derek Ford is a store manager with Heartland Furniture and Appliance in Dexter, Missouri.

Ford is a leader in his store and in his community by joining with Heartland in the company's many community outreach events.

Ford last year, assisted in selling 100 air conditioners at a discounted rate to the Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation, a private, non-profit, which then provided them to low income communities for free.

He was a part of numerous donation events included donating freezers to the Parma Fire Department during a power outage in 2008, donating furnishings for the Dexter High School Prom, donating to the Dexter DARE Program, donating walk-in freezers to the American Cancer Society.

He also assists each year with the Stoddard County parade.

The Association of Progressive Rental Organizations is the international voice for the rent-to-own industry founded in 1980. APRO is the nonprofit trade association advocating and representing the rent-to-own industry before the U.S. Congress, Internal Revenue Service, state legislatures, the courts, media and the public.

The association offers a wide range of services and resources for both RTO dealers and vendors, including education programs, annual meetings, seminars and a buying show, networking, award-winning publications and much more. APRO is staff-driven, member-based, with oversight by a board of directors.

http://www.rtohq.org/10256apro-apro-announces-employee-of-the-year-finalists.html

Heartland Furniture & Appliance, Sales & Leasing, located at 103 West Business 60 has been in business for the past fourteen years. (1997)

This business allows individuals to purchase items and make payments at affordable prices. Over the past few years the economy has had its ups and downs. This business allows customers to make low weekly and monthly payments. We give generous discounts on cash purchases and offer free delivery and setup on all cash sales. We offer new and used items, ranging from furniture, appliances, and electronics.

Our 6 MONTHS SAME AS CASH option has been a big hit with Dexter and the surrounding communities. This allows customers to get any item in the store and make 6 monthly payments, and there is absolutely no interest.

Heartland provides many top brand name appliances, electronics, and furniture that anyone would be pleased to have in their home or business.

Heartland Furniture & Appliance began as a retail business and over the past few years has grown into a lease purchase business. The business began with a showroom of just 1500 square feet. During the past 5 years we remodeled and added another 600 square feet, blacktopped our parking lot, and a lighted sign was incorporated to bring more attention to the business. Coming up on 3 years ago, an awarding winning flower garden was added to the corner of our business, at the corner of mulberry and business highway 60, in late spring of 2008. It not only added great curb appeal to the business, but is very enjoyable to observe while driving down business 60.

In 2010, Heartland once again remodeled and has doubled the size of our showroom to almost 6000 square feet. The new addition and more attractive exterior has added more appeal to the community of Dexter and has increased the number of households and businessf that are able to have items, that may have not been available without our business. Many who have not shopped with us before, are coming in and taking advantage of all the great deals, that we offer everyday. A rough estimate has shown that 20 - 25 % of the population of Dexter conducts business at Heartland.

The Store Manager is Derek Ford.

Derek is a Dexter native. He graduated from Dexter Senior High School in May of 2005 and has been employed at Heartland since fall of 2006. He started out as a delivery driver. Within 3 months he moved up to our Account Manager position and within another year and a half he was promoted to Store Manager and has been a crucial part of Heartland since becoming Store Manager in mid 2008. He is a very happy go lucky person, he gets along with everyone, will help anyone out at the drop of a hat, and has worked many times when not scheduled to work, without being asked, just to make sure the job gets done the way it should.

The Dexter store has achieved top recognition in the company for continued growth and success for the past two years.

Accomplishments

2006 Store Account Manager Of The Year (My Store)

2007-2008 Account Manager Of The Year (Myself)

2nd. Quarter 2008 Top Account Manager (My Store)

2nd. Quarter 2008 Top Overall Performance (My Store)

2nd. Quarter 2008 UOR Growth Award (My Store)

2008 Dexter Chamber Of Commerce, Star Award (My Store)

1st. Quarter 2009 Top Overall Performance (My Store)

1st. Quarter 2009 Revenue Growth Award (My Store)

2nd. Quarter 2009 Top Account Manager (My Store)

2nd. Quarter 2009 Top Overall Performance (My Store)

2nd. Quarter 2009 Revenue Growth Award (My Store)

2nd. Quarter 2009 UOR Growth Award (My Store)

2009 Store Account Manager Award (My Store)

2009 Store Of The Year (My Store)

2009 Employee Of The Year (Myself)

2009 Revenue Growth Of The Year (My Store)

2010 - 1st Quarter

UOR Growth Award (My Store)

Top Account Manager (My Store)

Top Overall Performance (My Store)

Revenue Growth Award (My Store)

2010 - 2nd QuarterTop Account Manager (My Store)

Top Overall Performance (My Store)

Revenue Growth Award (My Store)

2010 - 3rd Quarter

UOR Growth Award (My Store)

Top Overall Performance (My Store)

Revenue Growth Award (My Store)

2010 - 4th Quarter

UOR Growth Award (My Store)

Top Account Manager (My Store)

Top Overall Performance (My Store)

Revenue Growth Award (My Store)

2010

UOR Growth For The Year (My Store)

Top Account Manager For The Year (My Store)

Revenue Growth For The Year (My Store)

Store Of The Year (My Store)

Employee Of The Year (Myself)

Dexter Chamber Of Commerce, Business Of The Year (My Store)

APRO FINALIST FOR 2010 EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR.

The business tries to be community involved with the Chamber Of Commerce.

As well as local politicians, schools, and other community organizations. The company contributes to the National Wildlife Federation, Ducks Unlimited, National Rifle Association, The American Cancer Society, The Boys And Girls Club, D.A.R.E. Program, and St. Judefs to name only a few.

We believe in helping others and often will donate the use of many items for clubs or organizational needs.

Heartland Furniture and Appliance appreciates the community of Dexter and hopes to be a part of its continued growth and success.