Rent-A-Center’s asset protection department continues to expand and evolve, supporting the development and growth of its team members with four new promotions and one recent appointment to the asset protection team.
“Our asset protection team continues to evolve as we align our strategies with the organizations,” says Jim Carr, senior director of global asset protection. “There is a continuing focus on professional development and technology as we take a broader approach in supporting our business partners. As we continue to evaluate and deploy strategic initiatives that add value to the organization, I’m pleased to report we have grown our department by 10 percent and promoted 20 percent of our team members this year.”
Mark Conachen, LPC, CFI, has been promoted to director of asset protection for the US field organization. Conachen joined Rent-A-Center in November 2008 and has excelled as a regional loss prevention manager, divisional loss prevention manager and senior zone asset protection manager. Prior to joining Rent-A-Center he held numerous loss prevention and operations positions at Lowe’s, Home Depot and Target. Mark is LPCertified, a Certified Fraud Examiner, and a graduate of Michigan State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Jesse Vera has been promoted to director of asset protection for US operations. Vera joined Rent-A-Center in June 2012 and has been a top performer as a divisional loss prevention manager and senior zone asset protection manager. He brings diverse leadership experience in both operations and asset protection from Toys R Us, Access Financial, Blockbuster and Radio Shack. Jesse attended Ranger College in Ranger, Texas.
David Cohen, CFE, has been promoted to senior asset protection manager – digital initiatives and central investigations. Cohen joined Rent-A-Center in November 2015 as asset protection of loss prevention – retail services, supply chain, corporate security, and projects with Radio Shack and senior loss prevention manager with Blockbuster. He is a Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified E-Commerce Fraud Investigator and a graduate of City University of New York where he earned a bachelor degree in speech and language pathology.
Tim LePelley, CFI, has been promoted to senior zone asset protection manager. LePelley joined Rent-A-Center in February 2012. He has been a leader and top performer as a divisional loss prevention manager and zone asset protection manager. Prior to joining Rent-A-Center, LePelley held leadership roles with Nordstrom, Brookstone, and Saks Fifth Avenue. He is a Certified Forensic Interviewer and proud member of the United States Marine Corps.
Edwin Rodriguez has been appointed asset protection manager – audit and training. Prior to joining Rent-A-Center Rodriguez spent 23 years in loss prevention, serving as a regional loss prevention manager at Gander Mountain, and as a district and regional loss prevention manager at Kohl’s Department Stores. He is a Certified Forensic Interviewer and veteran of Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield where he served as a member of the US Air Force.