Aaron's, Inc., a leading lease-to-own specialty retailer that offers flexible payment options for furniture, electronics and appliances, announced today that Gil Danielson, Aaron's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, was named CFO of the Year Large Public Company Winner by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. The CFO of the Year awards is an annual program sponsored by the Atlanta Business Chronicle in partnership with the Association for Corporate Growth Atlanta.

Danielson joined Aaron's in 1990 as its Chief Financial Officer when Company revenues totaled $140 million. In 2015, Aaron's, Inc. revenues are expected to exceed $3 billion. Danielson noted that the entrepreneurial spirit established by Charlie Loudermilk, Aaron's founder, continues to fuel the Company's growth. He has seen many stages of growth in the Company and was instrumental during last year's acquisition of Progressive Leasing, Aaron's largest acquisition in its history. In partnering with Progressive Leasing, Aaron's reaches more customers interested in lease-purchase solutions through an instant online decision engine process available online at Aarons.com.

"Gil truly represents the values that have been integral to the growth of the Company -- he always places the customer first and guides the business with integrity," said John Robinson, Aaron's CEO. "He's been a steadying force in the Company amid seasons of industry growth and market change for the past 25 years."

Danielson said, "Charlie Loudermilk's guiding principles for success in the lease-to-own business are to serve the customer with respect, provide products they want and need in a fair transaction, know the customer and always give great service. This customer focus has made the Company successful and I have been very fortunate over the past 25 years to be the CFO of Aaron's."