0000921895-17-000464.txt : 20170223 0000921895-17-000464.hdr.sgml : 20170223 20170223123429 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000921895-17-000464 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: SC 13D/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 7 FILED AS OF DATE: 20170223 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20170223 SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: RENT A CENTER INC DE CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000933036 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-EQUIPMENT RENTAL & LEASING, NEC [7359] IRS NUMBER: 450491516 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D/A SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 005-49993 FILM NUMBER: 17631573 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5501 HEADQUARTERS DRIVE CITY: PLANO STATE: TX ZIP: 75024 BUSINESS PHONE: 972-801-1100 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5501 HEADQUARTERS DRIVE CITY: PLANO STATE: TX ZIP: 75024 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: RENTERS CHOICE INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19941128 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Engaged Capital LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001559771 IRS NUMBER: 454591052 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D/A BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 610 NEWPORT CENTER DRIVE STREET 2: SUITE 250 CITY: NEWPORT BEACH STATE: CA ZIP: 92660 BUSINESS PHONE: 949-734-7900 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 610 NEWPORT CENTER DRIVE STREET 2: SUITE 250 CITY: NEWPORT BEACH STATE: CA ZIP: 92660 SC 13D/A 1 sc13da209455023_02232017.htm AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE SCHEDULE 13D sc13da209455023_02232017.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13D
(Rule 13d-101)

INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT
TO § 240.13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO
§ 240.13d-2(a)

(Amendment No. 2)1

Rent-A-Center, Inc.
(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
(Title of Class of Securities)

76009N100
(CUSIP Number)
 
GLENN W. WELLING
ENGAGED CAPITAL, LLC
610 Newport Center Drive, Suite 250
Newport Beach, California 92660
(949) 734-7900

STEVE WOLOSKY
OLSHAN FROME WOLOSKY LLP
1325 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10019
(212) 451-2300
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

February 23, 2017
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box ¨.

Note:  Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits.  See § 240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.


_______________
1              The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
 
 
 

 
CUSIP NO. 76009N100
 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
Engaged Capital Flagship Master Fund, LP
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) x
  (b) o
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
WC
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
CAYMAN ISLANDS
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
2,324,944
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
2,324,944
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
2,324,944
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
4.4%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
PN

 
2

 
CUSIP NO. 76009N100
 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
Engaged Capital Co-Invest V, LP
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) x
  (b) o
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
WC
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
DELAWARE
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
2,703,611
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
2,703,611
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
2,703,611
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
5.1%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
PN

 
3

 
CUSIP NO. 76009N100
 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
Engaged Capital Flagship Fund, LP
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) x
  (b) o
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
OO
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
DELAWARE
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
2,324,944
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
2,324,944
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
2,324,944
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
4.4%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
PN

 
4

 
CUSIP NO. 76009N100
 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
Engaged Capital Flagship Fund, Ltd.
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) x
  (b) o
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
OO
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
CAYMAN ISLANDS
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
2,324,944
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
2,324,944
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
2,324,944
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
4.4%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
CO

 
5

 
CUSIP NO. 76009N100
 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
Engaged Capital, LLC
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) x
  (b) o
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
OO
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
DELAWARE
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
5,288,376
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
5,288,376
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
5,288,376
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
9.9%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
OO

 
6

 
CUSIP NO. 76009N100
 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
Engaged Capital Holdings, LLC
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) x
  (b) o
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
OO
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
DELAWARE
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
5,288,376
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
5,288,376
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
5,288,376
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
9.9%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
OO

 
7

 
CUSIP NO. 76009N100
 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
Glenn W. Welling
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) x
  (b) o
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
OO
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
USA
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
5,288,376
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
5,288,376
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
5,288,376
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
9.9%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
IN

 
8

 
CUSIP NO. 76009N100
 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
Jeffrey J. Brown
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) x
  (b) o
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
 
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
USA
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
- 0 -
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
0%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
IN

 
9

 
CUSIP NO. 76009N100
 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
William K. Butler
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) x
  (b) o
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
 
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
USA
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
- 0 -
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
0%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
IN

 
10

 
CUSIP NO. 76009N100
 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
Mitchell E. Fadel
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) x
  (b) o
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
 
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
USA
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
- 0 -
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
0%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
IN

 
11

 
CUSIP NO. 76009N100
 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
Christopher B. Hetrick
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) x
  (b) o
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
 
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
USA
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
- 0 -
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
0%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
IN

 
12

 
CUSIP NO. 76009N100
 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
Carol A. McFate
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) x
  (b) o
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
 
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
USA
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
- 0 -
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
0%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
IN

 
13

 
CUSIP NO. 76009N100
 
The following constitutes Amendment No. 2 to the Schedule 13D filed by the undersigned (“Amendment No. 2”).  This Amendment No. 2 amends the Schedule 13D as specifically set forth herein.

Item 2.
Identity and Background.
 
Item 2 is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:
 
(a)           This statement is filed by:
 
 
(i)
Engaged Capital Flagship Master Fund, LP (“Engaged Capital Flagship Master”), a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, with respect to the Shares directly and beneficially owned by it;
 
 
(ii)
Engaged Capital Co-Invest V, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Engaged Capital Co-Invest V”), with respect to the Shares directly and beneficially owned by it;
 
 
(iii)
Engaged Capital Flagship Fund, LP (“Engaged Capital Fund”), a Delaware limited partnership, as a feeder fund of Engaged Capital Flagship Master;
 
 
(iv)
Engaged Capital Flagship Fund, Ltd. (“Engaged Capital Offshore”), a Cayman Islands exempted company, as a feeder fund of Engaged Capital Flagship Master;
 
 
(v)
Engaged Capital, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Engaged Capital”), as the general partner and investment adviser of each of Engaged Capital Flagship Master and Engaged Capital Co-Invest V and the investment adviser of a certain managed account (the “Engaged Capital Account”);
 
 
(vi)
Engaged Capital Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Engaged Holdings”), as the managing member of Engaged Capital;
 
 
(vii)
Glenn W. Welling, as the Founder and Chief Investment Officer (“CIO”) of Engaged Capital and the sole member of Engaged Holdings;
 
 
(viii)
Jeffrey J. Brown;
 
 
(ix)
William K. Butler;
 
 
(x)
Mitchell E. Fadel;
 
 
(xi)
Christopher B. Hetrick; and
 
 
(xii)
Carol A. McFate.
 
Each of the foregoing is referred to as a “Reporting Person” and collectively as the “Reporting Persons.”  Each of the Reporting Persons is party to that certain Joint Filing and Solicitation Agreement, as further described in Item 6.  Accordingly, the Reporting Persons are hereby filing a joint Schedule 13D.
 
 
14

 
CUSIP NO. 76009N100
 
(b)           The address of the principal office of each of Engaged Capital Flagship Master and Engaged Capital Offshore is c/o Codan Trust Company (Cayman) Ltd., Cricket Square, Hutchins Drive, P.O. Box 2681, Grand Cayman KY1-1111, Cayman Islands.  The address of the principal office of each of Engaged Capital Co-Invest V, Engaged Capital Fund, Engaged Capital, Engaged Holdings and Messrs. Welling and Hetrick is 610 Newport Center Drive, Suite 250, Newport Beach, California 92660. The officers and directors of Engaged Capital Offshore and their principal occupations and business addresses are set forth on Schedule A of the Schedule 13D and are incorporated by reference in this Item 2. The address of the principal office of Mr. Brown is 2721 East Coast Highway, Suite 108, Corona del Mar, California 92625. The address of the principal office of Mr. Butler is 345 Buford Drive, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046. The address of the principal office of Mr. Fadel is Falling Brook Cove, Austin, Texas 78746. The address of the principal office of Ms. McFate is c/o Xerox Corporation, 45 Glover Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06850.
 
(c)           The principal business of each of Engaged Capital Flagship Master and Engaged Capital Co-Invest V is investing in securities.  Each of Engaged Capital Fund and Engaged Capital Offshore is a private investment partnership that serves as a feeder fund of Engaged Capital Flagship Master.  Engaged Capital is a registered investment advisor and serves as the investment adviser to each of Engaged Capital Flagship Master, Engaged Capital Co-Invest V, Engaged Capital Fund, Engaged Capital Offshore and the Engaged Capital Account. Engaged Capital is also the general partner of each of Engaged Capital Flagship Master, Engaged Capital Co-Invest V and Engaged Capital Fund. Engaged Holdings serves as the managing member of Engaged Capital.  Mr. Welling is the Founder and CIO of Engaged Capital, the sole member of Engaged Holdings and a director of Engaged Capital Offshore. Mr. Brown is the Chief Executive Officer and founding member of Brown Equity Partners, LLC, which provides capital to management teams and companies needing equity capital. Mr. Butler is the President and Chief Executive Officer of each of ATL Leasing Inc., where he manages over 70 Buddy’s Home Furnishings rent-to-own stores in the Southeast, and Pro Carts, Inc. (d/b/a All Pro Carts), a family owned and operated golf cart sales, service and rental business. Mr. Fadel is currently self-employed after most recently serving as President – U.S. Pawn for EZCORP, Inc., a leading provider of pawn loans in the United States and Mexico. Mr. Hetrick is the Director of Research at Engaged Capital. Ms. McFate is the Chief Investment Officer of Xerox Corporation, a multinational document provider of multifunction document management systems and services.
 
(d)           No Reporting Person, nor any person listed on Schedule A annexed to the Schedule 13D, has, during the last five years, been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).
 
(e)           No Reporting Person, nor any person listed on Schedule A annexed to the Schedule 13D, has during the last five years, been party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.
 
(f)           Engaged Capital Flagship Master and Engaged Capital Offshore are organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands.  Engaged Capital Co-Invest V, Engaged Capital Fund, Engaged Capital and Engaged Holdings are organized under the laws of the State of Delaware.  Messrs. Welling, Brown, Butler, Fadel and Hetrick and Ms. McFate are citizens of the United States of America.  The citizenship of the persons listed on Schedule A to the Schedule 13D is set forth therein.
 
 
15

 
CUSIP NO. 76009N100


Item 4.
Purpose of Transaction.
 
Item 4 is hereby amended to add the following:

On February 23, 2017, Engaged Capital Flagship Master delivered a letter (the “Nomination Letter”) to the Issuer nominating Jeffrey J. Brown, William K. Butler, Mitchell E. Fadel, Christopher B. Hetrick and Carol A. McFate (the “Nominees”) for election to the Board of Directors of the Issuer (the “Board”) at the 2017 annual meeting of stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”). In the Nomination Letter, Engaged Capital Flagship Master stated that it believes the terms of three (3) directors currently serving on the Board expire at the Annual Meeting, and, if this remains the case, Engaged Capital Flagship Master will withdraw two (2) of its Nominees.
 
Also on February 23, 2017, Engaged Capital issued a public letter (the “Public Letter”) to the Board announcing the nomination of the Nominees and reiterating its call for the Board to hire a financial advisor and immediately initiate a strategic alternatives review process to evaluate a sale of the Issuer. In the Public Letter, Engaged Capital also expressed its concerns that the incumbent Board and management team may take actions that could materially harm shareholders and further explained that it has lost confidence in the incumbent Board’s willingness to fulfill its fiduciary duty and independently identify the optimal risk-adjusted strategy to restore value for the Issuer’s shareholders. Given the foregoing, Engaged Capital felt that it had little choice other than to nominate its highly qualified candidates who it believes possess the financial, operational and strategic acumen the Board urgently needs. Rather than wasting management’s time and shareholders’ capital on a potential proxy contest, Engaged Capital urged the Board to work collaboratively with it to bring new perspectives into the boardroom and agree on a path that will create value for all shareholders. A copy of the Public Letter is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 5.
Interest in Securities of the Issuer.
 
Items 5(a) – (c) are hereby amended and restated to read as follows:
 
 (a)           The aggregate percentage of Shares reported owned by each person named herein is based upon 53,149,617 Shares outstanding as of October 26, 2016, which is the total number of Shares outstanding as reported in the Issuer’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 28, 2016.
 
As of the close of business on February 22, 2017, Engaged Capital Flagship Master beneficially owned 2,324,944 Shares, constituting approximately 4.4% of the Shares outstanding.  Each of Engaged Capital Fund and Engaged Capital Offshore, as feeder funds of Engaged Capital Flagship Master, may be deemed to beneficially own the 2,324,944 Shares owned by Engaged Capital Flagship Master, constituting approximately 4.4% of the Shares outstanding.
 
As of the close of business on February 22, 2017, Engaged Capital Co-Invest V beneficially owned 2,703,611 Shares, constituting approximately 5.1% of the Shares outstanding.
 
As of the close of business on February 22, 2017, 259,821 Shares were held in the Engaged Capital Account, constituting less than 1% of the Shares outstanding.
 
Engaged Capital, as the general partner and investment adviser of Engaged Capital Flagship Master and Engaged Capital Co-Invest V and the investment adviser of the Engaged Capital Account, may be deemed to beneficially own the 5,288,376 Shares owned in the aggregate by Engaged Capital Flagship Master and Engaged Capital Co-Invest V and held in the Engaged Capital Account, constituting approximately 9.9% of the Shares outstanding.  Engaged Holdings, as the managing member of Engaged Capital, may be deemed to beneficially own the 5,288,376 Shares owned in the aggregate by Engaged Capital Flagship Master and Engaged Capital Co-Invest V and held in the Engaged Capital Account, constituting approximately 9.9% of the Shares outstanding.  Mr. Welling, as the Founder and CIO of Engaged Capital and sole member of Engaged Holdings, may be deemed to beneficially own the 5,288,376 Shares owned in the aggregate by Engaged Capital Flagship Master and Engaged Capital Co-Invest V and held in the Engaged Capital Account, constituting approximately 9.9% of the Shares outstanding.
 
 
16

 
CUSIP NO. 76009N100
 
As of the close of business on February 22, 2017, Messrs. Brown, Butler, Fadel and Hetrick and Ms. McFate did not beneficially own any Shares, constituting 0% of the Shares outstanding.
 
Each Reporting Person, as a member of a “group” with the other Reporting Persons for the purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), may be deemed the beneficial owner of the Shares directly owned by the other Reporting Persons.  The filing of this Schedule 13D shall not be deemed an admission that the Reporting Persons are, for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, the beneficial owners of any securities of the Issuer he, she or it does not directly own.  Each of the Reporting Persons specifically disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities reported herein that he, she or it does not directly own.
 
(b)           By virtue of their respective positions with Engaged Capital Flagship Master, each of Engaged Capital Fund, Engaged Capital Offshore, Engaged Capital, Engaged Holdings and Mr. Welling may be deemed to have sole power to vote and dispose of the Shares reported owned by Engaged Capital Flagship Master.
 
By virtue of their respective positions with Engaged Capital Co-Invest V, each of Engaged Capital, Engaged Holdings and Mr. Welling may be deemed to have sole power to vote and dispose of the Shares reported owned by Engaged Capital Co-Invest V.
 
By virtue of their respective positions with the Engaged Capital Account, each of Engaged Capital, Engaged Holdings and Mr. Welling may be deemed to have sole power to vote and dispose of the Shares held in the Engaged Capital Account.
 
 (c)           None of the Reporting Persons have entered into any transactions in the securities of the Issuer since the filing of Amendment No. 1 to the Schedule 13D and further, Messrs. Brown, Butler, Fadel and Hetrick and Ms. McFate have not entered into any transactions in the securities of the Issuer during the past 60 days.

Item 6.
Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With Respect to Securities of the Issuer.
 
Item 6 is hereby amended to add the following:
 
On February 23, 2017, the Reporting Persons entered into a Joint Filing and Solicitation Agreement pursuant to which, among other things, the parties agreed to (a) the joint filing on behalf of each of them of statements on Schedule 13D, and any amendments thereto, with respect to the securities of the Issuer and (b) solicit proxies for the election of the Nominees at the Annual Meeting. A copy of the Joint Filing and Solicitation Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Engaged Capital Flagship Master has entered into letter agreements pursuant to which it and its affiliates agreed to indemnify Messrs. Brown, Butler and Fadel and Ms. McFate against claims arising from the solicitation of proxies from the Issuer’s stockholders in connection with the Annual Meeting and any related transactions. A form of the indemnification letter agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.3 and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
17

 
CUSIP NO. 76009N100
 
On February 23, 2017, Engaged Capital Flagship Master entered into a Consulting Agreement (the “Consulting Agreement”) with Mr. Fadel pursuant to which it agreed to pay him $25,000 (the “Fee”). Pursuant to the Consulting Agreement, Mr. Fadel has agreed to perform certain consulting, advisory and other services to Engaged Capital Flagship Master, including with respect to Engaged Capital Flagship Master’s nomination of the Nominees for election to the Board. The Consulting Agreement terminates on the earlier to occur of (i) the date of the Annual Meeting and (ii) August 31, 2017; provided that, following the payment of the Fee, Engaged Capital Flagship Master may terminate the Consulting Agreement immediately upon written notice to Mr. Fadel.
 
Item 7.
Material to be Filed as Exhibits.
 
Item 7 is hereby amended to add the following exhibits:
 
 
99.1
Letter to the Board, dated February 23, 2017.
 
 
99.2
Joint Filing and Solicitation Agreement, dated February 23, 2017.
 
 
99.3
Form of Indemnification Letter Agreement.
 
 
99.4
Powers of Attorney.
 
 
18

 
CUSIP NO. 76009N100
 
SIGNATURES
 
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of his knowledge and belief, the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
 
Dated:  February 23, 2017


 
Engaged Capital Flagship Master Fund, LP
   
 
By:
Engaged Capital, LLC
General Partner
   
 
By:
/s/ Glenn W. Welling
   
Name:
Glenn W. Welling
   
Title:
Founder and Chief Investment Officer


 
Engaged Capital Co-Invest V, LP
   
 
By:
Engaged Capital, LLC
General Partner
   
 
By:
/s/ Glenn W. Welling
   
Name:
Glenn W. Welling
   
Title:
Founder and Chief Investment Officer


 
Engaged Capital Flagship Fund, LP
     
 
By:
Engaged Capital, LLC
General Partner
   
 
By:
/s/ Glenn W. Welling
   
Name:
Glenn W. Welling
   
Title:
Founder and Chief Investment Officer


 
Engaged Capital Flagship Fund, Ltd.
     
 
By:
/s/ Glenn W. Welling
   
Name:
Glenn W. Welling
   
Title:
Director

 
19

 
CUSIP NO. 76009N100
 
 
Engaged Capital, LLC
   
 
By:
/s/ Glenn W. Welling
   
Name:
Glenn W. Welling
   
Title:
Founder and Chief Investment Officer


 
Engaged Capital Holdings, LLC
   
 
By:
/s/ Glenn W. Welling
   
Name:
Glenn W. Welling
   
Title:
Sole Member


 
/s/ Glenn W. Welling
 
Glenn W. Welling
Individually and as attorney-in-fact for Jeffrey J. Brown, William K. Butler, Mitchell E. Fadel, Christopher B. Hetrick and Carol A. McFate

 
 
20

 
 
EX-99.1 2 ex991to13da209455023_022317.htm LETTER TO THE BOARD, DATED FEBRUARY 23, 2017 ex991to13da209455023_022317.htm
Exhibit 99.1
 
 
February 23, 2017
 

Board of Directors
Rent-A-Center, Inc.
5501 Headquarters Drive
Plano, Texas 75024

Members of the Board:

Engaged Capital, LLC (together with its affiliates, “Engaged Capital”) has a 12.9% economic interest in Rent-A-Center, Inc. (“RCII” or the “Company”), making us one of the Company’s largest shareholders. As we have expressed numerous times, we believe the RCII Board of Directors (the “Board”) should immediately hire a financial advisor and initiate a strategic alternatives process to evaluate a sale of the entire Company before attempting to pursue a risky public turnaround strategy. The Company’s over 75% decline in share price from its value above $35 a little over two years ago is a stark reminder of the need to benchmark the risk-adjusted alternatives available to the Company. As we highlighted in our December 7, 2016 letter, we believe the Company could command a significant equity premium given the capital structure of the business.  For example, based on yesterday’s closing price of $8.40, an acquisition price of $16 per share would represent a 90% premium for shareholders yet only a 38% premium to the Company’s enterprise value. Based on our industry research, we are confident there are numerous parties, both strategic and financial, that would have serious interest in acquiring the Company. Given the history of shareholder value destruction, poor operational execution, weak corporate governance and reactive management change, stubbornly committing to a standalone strategy when other options remain unexplored is simply unacceptable.

While we appreciate the open dialogue we have had to date with the Board, we are extremely disappointed by the Company’s apparent refusal to address our concerns.  We believe the recent 100,000 share open market purchase by Mark Speese, RCII’s Chairman, interim CEO and co-founder, signals that the Board is unlikely to proactively commence a strategic alternatives process in the near future. As a consequence of this inaction, we have lost confidence in the willingness of the Board to fulfill its fiduciary duty and independently identify the optimal risk-adjusted strategy to restore value to RCII shareholders.

Our interactions with the Board thus far suggest its behavior as a whole may reflect a personal loyalty to Mr. Speese, who owns only 2.3% of the Company, at the expense of RCII shareholders. This is particularly concerning because we believe Mr. Speese has a significant conflict of interest that could prevent RCII from maximizing value for its shareholders. By pursuing a risky turnaround strategy that allows him to retain control of the Company he co-founded and to maintain his leadership position, Mr. Speese clearly benefits in ways that shareholders, whose primary interest is the Company’s value, do not benefit. Thus, it is imperative for the Board to not let the personal interests of one director stand in the way of value creation. As we see no evidence that the incumbent Board is willing to prioritize the interest of shareholders, we believe the Board must be reconstituted with new directors who will maintain an unquestionable allegiance to the true owners of the Company – the shareholders.

Furthermore, we are extremely concerned that Mr. Speese, under the cover provided by a group of long-tenured and apparently conflicted incumbent directors, may materially harm shareholders if he acts to ensure his continued control of the Company at any cost.  These actions include, but are not limited to:

 
1)
Failing to respond to incoming communications from parties expressing an interest in acquiring the Company. It is our understanding that Mr. Speese may be employing this strategy so that he can either legitimately tell the Board he has not received meaningful approaches from interested parties or to limit his interactions to parties that are in his personal best interest.
 
 
 

 
 
 
2)
Failing to inform all members of the Board of such inbound communications.
 
3)
Restructuring the Company’s debt in a way that transfers value from equity holders to debt holders, effectively acting as an implicit poison pill (e.g. onerous prepayment penalties) for would-be acquirers. Mr. Speese is having discussions with lenders on refinancing alternatives which we are concerned could make RCII less valuable to an acquirer or make an acquisition of the Company more difficult.
 
4)
Selling a piece of the Company while refusing to evaluate a sale of the entire Company, ultimately damaging the value of the remaining business.
 
5)
Diluting current shareholders by placing equity or convertible debt with a “friendly” party to protect the status quo.
 
6)
Negotiating a sale of the entire Company to a “friendly” party as opposed to running a full and fair process.
 
7)
Delaying a formal consideration of strategic alternatives to provide interim management more time to operate the business, which, despite their best efforts, and based upon recent performance, could result in a continued worsening of operational performance and a further decline in equity value.

We are hereby putting each and every director on notice.  We will use any and all resources at our disposal to ensure that the approximately 98% of shares outstanding not owned by Mr. Speese are protected from further value destruction. More specifically, we call on RCII’s six independent directors (Michael J. Gade, Rishi Garg, Jeffrey Jackson, J.V. Lentell, Leonard H. Roberts and Stephen L. Pepper) to act objectively in these deliberations and to hold Mr. Speese accountable.  You are being closely watched by us and the rest of RCII’s shareholder base. To be clear, we intend to hold each of you personally liable to the fullest extent permitted by law should you continue down a value destructive path and fail to act in the best interests of the Company’s shareholders. We believe that if you choose to do what is right for the Company’s shareholders, as is your duty, the potential exists to create a significant amount of shareholder value by capturing a large percentage of the “fixed” value of RCII in a sale of the Company.

Given our interactions with the Company thus far, and the concerns highlighted above in this letter, we feel we have been left with no choice but to seek significant Board change. Given that five of seven incumbent directors have served on the Board for over ten years and two of such directors (including Mr. Speese) have served on the Board for over twenty years, we believe this Board is stale and needs to be refreshed with new directors.  We are formally providing the Board notice of our nomination of five highly qualified candidates for election to the Board at the Company’s upcoming 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; provided, however, that we intend to withdraw two of our nominees to the extent that only three seats remain up for election at the meeting. We believe these individuals possess the financial, operational and strategic acumen the Board urgently needs. Our nominees are:
 
Mitchell E. Fadel is currently self-employed after most recently serving as President – U.S. Pawn for EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW), a leading provider of pawn loans in the United States and Mexico, from September 2015 to December 2016. Prior to that, Mr. Fadel served as RCII’s President (beginning in July 2000) and Chief Operating Officer (beginning in December 2002) each until August 2015, where he also served as a director from December 2000 to November 2013. From 1992 until 2000, Mr. Fadel served as President and Chief Executive Officer of RCII’s subsidiary ColorTyme, Inc., the largest all franchise rent-to-own brand in the country. Mr. Fadel’s professional experience with RCII also includes previously serving as a Regional Director and a District Manager.

William K. (Ken) Butler has served as the President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of ATL Leasing Inc., where he manages over 70 Buddy’s Home Furnishings rent-to-own stores in the Southeast, since September 2015. He has also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Pro Carts, Inc. (d/b/a All Pro Carts), a family owned and operated golf cart sales, service and rental business, since September 2013. Prior to that, Mr. Butler held various leadership positions with Aaron’s, Inc. (NYSE:AAN) (“Aaron’s”), a leading omnichannel provider of lease-purchase solutions, from 1974 to May 2013, where he also served as a director from 2000 until May 2013. Mr. Butler’s most recent executive positions with Aaron’s include serving as its Chief Operating Officer from 2008 to May 2013 and President of its Sales & Lease Ownership Division from 1995 to 2008, a division he served as Vice President of from 1986 to 1995. Mr. Butler previously served as a director of The McPherson Family Trust (d/b/a RE/MAX of Kentucky/Tennessee, Inc., RE/MAX of Georgia, Inc. and RE/MAX of Southern Ohio, Inc.) from 2002 until its sale in December 2016. Mr. Butler was the 2012 recipient of the Ernie Talley Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations (APRO), the rent-to-own industry trade group.
 
 
 

 

Carol A. McFate has served as the Chief Investment Officer of Xerox Corporation (NYSE:XRX), a multinational document provider of multifunction document management systems and services, where she manages retirement investment assets for North American and U.K. plans, since 2006. Previously, Ms. McFate served as Executive Vice President & Global Treasurer for XL Global Services, Inc., a US-based subsidiary of XL Capital, Ltd. (NYSE:XLC), a leading Bermuda-based global insurance and reinsurance company, from 2003 to 2006. From 1994 to 2003, Ms. McFate held various positions with American International Group Inc. (NYSE:AIG), an American multinational property & casualty, life insurance, and financial services provider, including Vice President & Treasurer from 1998-2002. From 1988 to 1994, Ms. McFate held various positions with The Prudential Insurance Company of America (NYSE:PRU), an American Fortune Global 500 and Fortune 500 company whose subsidiaries provide insurance, investment management, and other financial products and services to both retail and institutional customers throughout the United States and in over 30 other countries, including Senior Vice President, Financial Restructuring Group, Senior Vice President, Prudential Capital Group and Vice President, Corporate Finance Group. Ms. McFate has been recognized throughout her career for her service, including receiving a Corporate Plan Sponsor Industry Innovation Award from Chief Investment Officer Magazine in 2012 and Chief Investment Officer Power 100 from Chief Investment Officer Magazine from 2011 to 2016. Ms. McFate has also been honored by Institutional Investor, winning two awards in 2014: the Investor Intelligence Network Thought Leadership Award and the Small Corporate Plan Sponsor Award.

Jeffrey J. Brown is the Chief Executive Officer and founding member of Brown Equity Partners, LLC (“BEP”), which provides capital to management teams and companies needing equity capital.  Prior to founding BEP in 2007, Mr. Brown served as a founding partner and primary deal originator of the venture capital and private equity firm Forrest Binkley & Brown (“FBB”) from 1993 to 2007.   In his 30 years in the investment business, Mr. Brown has been on over 40 boards of directors, including service on 8 public companies.  Since June 2015, Mr. Brown has served as the Lead Director of Medifast, Inc. (NYSE:MED), a nutrition and weight loss company, where he also serves as a member of each of the Audit and Mergers & Acquisitions Committees. From April 2016 until the completion of its sale in September 2016, Mr. Brown served as a director of Outerwall Inc. (formerly NASDAQ:OUTR), a provider of retail products and services to consumers via self-service interactive kiosks. From February 2014 until May 2016, Mr. Brown served as a director of RCS Capital Corporation (n/k/a Aretec Group, Inc.), an investment firm. From 2011 until 2015, Mr. Brown served as a director of Midatech Pharma PLC (LSE:MTPH), a nano-medicine company.   From 2012 until 2014, Mr. Brown served as a director of Nordion, Inc. (NYSE:NDZ), a health science company.  From 2009 until 2011, Mr. Brown served as a director of Steadfast Income REIT, Inc., a real estate investment trust.  In the course of his career, Mr. Brown has also worked at Hughes Aircraft Company, Morgan Stanley & Company, Security Pacific Capital Corporation and Bank of America Corporation.

Christopher B. Hetrick has been the Director of Research at Engaged Capital, a California based investment firm and registered advisor with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission focused on investing in small and mid-cap North American equities, since September 2012. Prior to joining Engaged Capital, Mr. Hetrick worked at Relational Investors LLC ("Relational"), a $6 billion activist equity fund, from January 2002 to August 2012. Mr. Hetrick began his career with Relational as an associate analyst. He eventually became the firm's senior consumer analyst overseeing over $1 billion in consumer sector investments. Prior to his work heading up the consumer research team, Mr. Hetrick was a generalist covering major investments in the technology, financial, automotive and food sectors.
 
As we have discussed with you, it is always our intention to work collaboratively with the boards and management teams of our portfolio companies and RCII is no exception. Rather than wasting management’s time and shareholders’ capital on a campaign against our highly qualified nominees, let us work together to bring new perspectives into the boardroom and agree on a path that will create value for all shareholders.


Sincerely,
 
 
Glenn W. Welling
Managing Member

 
EX-99.2 3 ex992to13da209455023_022317.htm JOINT FILING AND SOLICITATION AGREEMENT ex992to13da209455023_022317.htm
Exhibit 99.2
 
JOINT FILING AND SOLICITATION AGREEMENT
 
WHEREAS, certain of the undersigned are stockholders, direct or beneficial, of Rent-A-Center, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”);
 
WHEREAS, Engaged Capital Flagship Master Fund, LP, Engaged Capital Co-Invest V, LP, Engaged Capital Flagship Fund, LP, Engaged Capital Flagship Fund, Ltd., Engaged Capital, LLC, Engaged Capital Holdings, LLC and Glenn W. Welling (together, “Engaged Capital”), Jeffrey J. Brown, William K. Butler, Mitchell E. Fadel, Christopher B. Hetrick and Carol A. McFate wish to form a group for the purpose of seeking representation on the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) at the 2017 annual meeting of stockholders of the Company (including any other meeting of stockholders held in lieu thereof, and any adjournments, postponements, reschedulings or continuations thereof, the “2017 Annual Meeting”) and for the purpose of taking all other action necessary to achieve the foregoing.
 
NOW, IT IS AGREED, this 23rd day of February 2017 by the parties hereto:
 
1.           In accordance with Rule 13d-1(k)(1)(iii) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), each of the undersigned (collectively, the “Group”) agrees to the joint filing on behalf of each of them of statements on Schedule 13D, and any amendments thereto, with respect to the securities of the Company.  Each member of the Group shall be responsible for the accuracy and completeness of his/her/its own disclosure therein, and is not responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the information concerning the other members, unless such member knows or has reason to know that such information is inaccurate.
 
2.           So long as this agreement is in effect, each of the undersigned shall provide written notice to Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP (“Olshan”) of (i) any of their purchases or sales of securities of the Company or (ii) any securities of the Company over which they acquire or dispose of beneficial ownership.  Notice shall be given no later than 24 hours after each such transaction. For purposes of this agreement, the term “beneficial ownership” shall have the meaning of such term set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.
 
3.           Each of the undersigned agrees to form the Group for the purpose of (i) soliciting proxies for the election of the persons nominated by Engaged Capital to the Board at the 2017 Annual Meeting, (ii) taking such other actions as the parties deem advisable and (iii) taking all other action necessary or advisable to achieve the foregoing.
 
4.           Engaged Capital shall have the right to pre-approve all expenses incurred in connection with the Group’s activities and agrees to pay directly all such pre-approved expenses.
 
5.           Each of the undersigned agrees that any filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, press release or stockholder communication proposed to be made or issued by the Group or any member of the Group in connection with the Group’s activities set forth in Section 3 shall be first approved by Engaged Capital, or its representatives, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
 
6.           The relationship of the parties hereto shall be limited to carrying on the business of the Group in accordance with the terms of this agreement.  Such relationship shall be construed and deemed to be for the sole and limited purpose of carrying on such business as described herein.  Nothing herein shall be construed to authorize any party to act as an agent for any other party, or to create a joint venture or partnership, or to constitute an indemnification.  Nothing herein shall restrict any party’s right to purchase or sell securities of the Company, as he/she/it deems appropriate, in his/her/its sole discretion, provided that all such purchases and sales are made in compliance with all applicable securities laws and the provisions of this agreement.
 
7.           This agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which, taken together, shall constitute but one and the same instrument, which may be sufficiently evidenced by one counterpart.
 
8.           This agreement is governed by and will be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. In the event of any dispute arising out of the provisions of this agreement or their investment in the Company, the parties hereto consent and submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York located in the Borough of Manhattan or the courts of the State of New York located in the County of New York.
 
 
 

 
 
9.           Any party hereto may terminate his/her/its obligations under this agreement on 24 hours’ written notice to all other parties, with a copy by fax to Steve Wolosky at Olshan, Fax No. (212) 451-2222.
 
10.           Each party acknowledges that Olshan shall act as counsel for both the Group and Engaged Capital relating to their investment in the Company.
 
11.           Each of the undersigned parties hereby agrees that this agreement shall be filed as an exhibit to a Schedule 13D pursuant to Rule 13d-1(k)(1)(iii) under the Exchange Act.
 
 
 

 
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.


 
Engaged Capital Flagship Master Fund, LP
   
 
By:
Engaged Capital, LLC
General Partner
   
 
By:
/s/ Glenn W. Welling
   
Name:
Glenn W. Welling
   
Title:
Founder and Chief Investment Officer


 
Engaged Capital Co-Invest V, LP
   
 
By:
Engaged Capital, LLC
General Partner
   
 
By:
/s/ Glenn W. Welling
   
Name:
Glenn W. Welling
   
Title:
Founder and Chief Investment Officer


 
Engaged Capital Flagship Fund, LP
     
 
By:
Engaged Capital, LLC
General Partner
   
 
By:
/s/ Glenn W. Welling
   
Name:
Glenn W. Welling
   
Title:
Founder and Chief Investment Officer


 
Engaged Capital Flagship Fund, Ltd.
     
 
By:
/s/ Glenn W. Welling
   
Name:
Glenn W. Welling
   
Title:
Director

 
 

 
CUSIP NO. 76009N100
 
 
Engaged Capital, LLC
   
 
By:
/s/ Glenn W. Welling
   
Name:
Glenn W. Welling
   
Title:
Founder and Chief Investment Officer


 
Engaged Capital Holdings, LLC
   
 
By:
/s/ Glenn W. Welling
   
Name:
Glenn W. Welling
   
Title:
Sole Member


 
/s/ Glenn W. Welling
 
Glenn W. Welling
 
 
 
/s/ Jeffrey J. Brown
 
Jeffrey J. Brown

 
 
/s/ William K. Butler
 
William K. Butler

 
 
/s/ Mitchell E. Fadel
 
Mitchell E. Fadel

 
 
/s/ Christopher B. Hetrick
 
Christopher B. Hetrick

 
 
/s/ Carol A. McFate
 
Carol A. McFate

 
 
EX-99.3 4 ex993to13da209455023_022317.htm FORM OF INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT ex993to13da209455023_022317.htm
Exhibit 99.3
 

ENGAGED CAPITAL FLAGSHIP MASTER FUND, LP
c/o ENGAGED CAPITAL, LLC
610 Newport Center Drive, Suite 250
Newport Beach, California 92660


 
February __, 2017
 


Re:    Rent-A-Center, Inc.
 
Dear __________:

Thank you for agreeing to serve as a nominee for election to the Board of Directors of Rent-A-Center, Inc. (the “Company”) in connection with the proxy solicitation that Engaged Capital Flagship Master Fund, LP and its affiliates (collectively, the “Engaged Capital Group”) is considering undertaking to nominate and elect directors at the Company’s 2017 annual meeting of stockholders, or any other meeting of stockholders held in lieu thereof, and any adjournments, postponements, reschedulings or continuations thereof (the “Engaged Capital Group Solicitation”).  Your outstanding qualifications, we believe, will prove a valuable asset to the Company and all of its stockholders.  This letter (“Agreement”) will set forth the terms of our agreement.
 
The members of the Engaged Capital Group agree to jointly and severally indemnify and hold you harmless against any and all claims of any nature, whenever brought, arising from the Engaged Capital Group Solicitation and any related transactions, irrespective of the outcome; provided, however, that you will not be entitled to indemnification for claims arising from your gross negligence, willful misconduct, intentional and material violations of law, criminal actions or material breach of the terms of this agreement; provided further, that upon your becoming a director of the Company, this indemnification shall not apply to any claims made against you in your capacity as a director of the Company.  This indemnification will include any and all losses, liabilities, damages, demands, claims, suits, actions, judgments, or causes of action, assessments, costs and expenses, including, without limitation, interest, penalties, reasonable attorneys’ fees, and any and all reasonable costs and expenses incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, commenced or threatened, any civil, criminal, administrative or arbitration action, or any claim whatsoever, and any and all amounts paid in settlement of any claim or litigation asserted against, resulting, imposed upon, or incurred or suffered by you, directly or indirectly, as a result of or arising from the Engaged Capital Group Solicitation and any related transactions (each, a “Loss”).
 
In the event of a claim against you pursuant to the prior paragraph or the occurrence of a Loss, you shall give the Engaged Capital Group prompt written notice of such claim or Loss (provided that failure to promptly notify the Engaged Capital Group shall not relieve us from any liability which we may have on account of this Agreement, except to the extent we shall have been materially prejudiced by such failure).  Upon receipt of such written notice, the Engaged Capital Group will provide you with counsel to represent you.  Such counsel shall be reasonably acceptable to you.  In addition, you will be reimbursed promptly for all Losses suffered by you and as incurred as provided herein.  The Engaged Capital Group may not enter into any settlement of loss or claim without your consent unless such settlement includes a release of you from any and all liability in respect of such claim.
 
You hereby agree to keep confidential and not disclose to any party, without the consent of the Engaged Capital Group, any confidential, proprietary or non-public information (collectively, “Information”) of the Engaged Capital Group, its affiliates or any members of any group formed by the Engaged Capital Group pursuant to Rule 13d-1(k)(1)(iii) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Schedule 13D Group”) which you have heretofore obtained or may obtain in connection with your service as a nominee hereunder.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Information shall not include any information that is publicly disclosed by the Engaged Capital Group, its affiliates or any members of any Schedule 13D Group or any information that you can demonstrate is now, or hereafter becomes, through no act or failure to act on your part, otherwise generally known to the public.
 
 
 

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if you are required by applicable law, rule, regulation or legal process to disclose any Information you may do so provided that you first promptly notify the Engaged Capital Group so that the Engaged Capital Group or any member thereof may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy or, in the Engaged Capital Group’s sole discretion, waive compliance with the terms of this Agreement.  In the event that no such protective order or other remedy is obtained or the Engaged Capital Group does not waive compliance with the terms of this Agreement, you may consult with counsel at the cost of the Engaged Capital Group and you may furnish only that portion of the Information which you are advised by counsel is legally required to be so disclosed and you will request that the party(ies) receiving such Information maintain it as confidential.

All Information, all copies thereof, and any studies, notes, records, analysis, compilations or other documents prepared by you containing such Information, shall be and remain the property of the Engaged Capital Group and, upon the request of a representative of the Engaged Capital Group, all such information shall be returned or, at the Engaged Capital Group’s option, destroyed by you, with such destruction confirmed by you to the Engaged Capital Group in writing.

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the principles of the conflicts of laws thereof.
 

 
*              *              *
 
 
 

 

 
If you agree to the foregoing terms, please sign below to indicate your acceptance.
 

Very truly yours,
 
ENGAGED CAPITAL FLAGSHIP MASTER FUND, LP
 
By:
Engaged Capital, LLC,
its General Partner
   
By:
 
Name:
Glenn W. Welling
Title:
Founder and Chief Investment Officer




 
ACCEPTED AND AGREED:
 

 
__________________________

 
EX-99.4 5 ex994to13da209455023_022317.htm POWERS OF ATTORNEY ex994to13da209455023_022317.htm
Exhibit 99.4
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
Know all by these presents, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Glenn W. Welling the undersigned’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact to take any and all action in connection with (i) the undersigned’s beneficial ownership of, or participation in a group with respect to, securities of Rent-A-Center, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), directly or indirectly beneficially owned by Engaged Capital Flagship Master Fund, LP or any of its affiliates or members of its Schedule 13D group (collectively, the “Group”), and (ii) any proxy solicitation of the Group to elect the Group’s slate of director nominees to the board of directors of the Company at the 2017 annual meeting of stockholders of the Company (the “Solicitation”).  Such action shall include, but not be limited to:
 
1.           executing for and on behalf of the undersigned any Schedule 13D, and amendments thereto, filed by the Group that are required to be filed under Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules thereunder in connection with the undersigned’s beneficial ownership of, or participation in a group with respect to, securities of the Company or the Solicitation;
 
2.           if applicable, executing for and on behalf of the undersigned all Forms 3, 4 and 5 required to be filed under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act in connection with the undersigned’s beneficial ownership of, or participation in a group with respect to, securities of the Company or the Solicitation;
 
3.           executing for and on behalf of the undersigned all Joint Filing and Solicitation Agreements or similar documents pursuant to which the undersigned shall agree to be a member of the Group;
 
4.           performing any and all acts for and on behalf of the undersigned that may be necessary or desirable to complete and execute any such document, complete and execute any amendment or amendments thereto, and timely file such form with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any stock exchange or similar authority; and
 
5.           taking any other action of any type whatsoever in connection with the Solicitation, including entering into any settlement agreement, that in the opinion of such attorney-in-fact, may be of benefit to, in the best interest of, or legally required by, the undersigned, it being understood that the documents executed by such attorney-in-fact on behalf of the undersigned pursuant to this Power of Attorney shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as such attorney-in-fact may approve in such attorney-in-fact’s discretion.
 
The undersigned hereby grants to such attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform any and every act and thing whatsoever requisite, necessary, or proper to be done in the exercise of any of the rights and powers herein granted, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if personally present, with full power of substitution or revocation, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact, or such attorney-in-fact’s substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of this Power of Attorney and the rights and powers herein granted.  The undersigned acknowledges that the foregoing attorney-in-fact, in serving in such capacity at the request of the undersigned, is not assuming any of the undersigned's responsibilities to comply with Section 13(d), Section 16 or Section 14 of the Exchange Act.
 
This Power of Attorney shall remain in full force and effect until the undersigned is no longer a member of the Group unless earlier revoked by the undersigned in a signed writing delivered to the foregoing attorney-in-fact.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of this 23rd day of February 2017.
 

/s/ Jeffrey J. Brown
Jeffrey J. Brown
 
 
 

 
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
Know all by these presents, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Glenn W. Welling the undersigned’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact to take any and all action in connection with (i) the undersigned’s beneficial ownership of, or participation in a group with respect to, securities of Rent-A-Center, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), directly or indirectly beneficially owned by Engaged Capital Flagship Master Fund, LP or any of its affiliates or members of its Schedule 13D group (collectively, the “Group”), and (ii) any proxy solicitation of the Group to elect the Group’s slate of director nominees to the board of directors of the Company at the 2017 annual meeting of stockholders of the Company (the “Solicitation”).  Such action shall include, but not be limited to:
 
1.           executing for and on behalf of the undersigned any Schedule 13D, and amendments thereto, filed by the Group that are required to be filed under Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules thereunder in connection with the undersigned’s beneficial ownership of, or participation in a group with respect to, securities of the Company or the Solicitation;
 
2.           if applicable, executing for and on behalf of the undersigned all Forms 3, 4 and 5 required to be filed under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act in connection with the undersigned’s beneficial ownership of, or participation in a group with respect to, securities of the Company or the Solicitation;
 
3.           executing for and on behalf of the undersigned all Joint Filing and Solicitation Agreements or similar documents pursuant to which the undersigned shall agree to be a member of the Group;
 
4.           performing any and all acts for and on behalf of the undersigned that may be necessary or desirable to complete and execute any such document, complete and execute any amendment or amendments thereto, and timely file such form with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any stock exchange or similar authority; and
 
5.           taking any other action of any type whatsoever in connection with the Solicitation, including entering into any settlement agreement, that in the opinion of such attorney-in-fact, may be of benefit to, in the best interest of, or legally required by, the undersigned, it being understood that the documents executed by such attorney-in-fact on behalf of the undersigned pursuant to this Power of Attorney shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as such attorney-in-fact may approve in such attorney-in-fact’s discretion.
 
The undersigned hereby grants to such attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform any and every act and thing whatsoever requisite, necessary, or proper to be done in the exercise of any of the rights and powers herein granted, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if personally present, with full power of substitution or revocation, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact, or such attorney-in-fact’s substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of this Power of Attorney and the rights and powers herein granted.  The undersigned acknowledges that the foregoing attorney-in-fact, in serving in such capacity at the request of the undersigned, is not assuming any of the undersigned's responsibilities to comply with Section 13(d), Section 16 or Section 14 of the Exchange Act.
 
This Power of Attorney shall remain in full force and effect until the undersigned is no longer a member of the Group unless earlier revoked by the undersigned in a signed writing delivered to the foregoing attorney-in-fact.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of this 23rd day of February 2017.
 

/s/ William K. Butler
William K. Butler
 
 
 

 
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
Know all by these presents, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Glenn W. Welling the undersigned’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact to take any and all action in connection with (i) the undersigned’s beneficial ownership of, or participation in a group with respect to, securities of Rent-A-Center, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), directly or indirectly beneficially owned by Engaged Capital Flagship Master Fund, LP or any of its affiliates or members of its Schedule 13D group (collectively, the “Group”), and (ii) any proxy solicitation of the Group to elect the Group’s slate of director nominees to the board of directors of the Company at the 2017 annual meeting of stockholders of the Company (the “Solicitation”).  Such action shall include, but not be limited to:
 
1.           executing for and on behalf of the undersigned any Schedule 13D, and amendments thereto, filed by the Group that are required to be filed under Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules thereunder in connection with the undersigned’s beneficial ownership of, or participation in a group with respect to, securities of the Company or the Solicitation;
 
2.           if applicable, executing for and on behalf of the undersigned all Forms 3, 4 and 5 required to be filed under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act in connection with the undersigned’s beneficial ownership of, or participation in a group with respect to, securities of the Company or the Solicitation;
 
3.           executing for and on behalf of the undersigned all Joint Filing and Solicitation Agreements or similar documents pursuant to which the undersigned shall agree to be a member of the Group;
 
4.           performing any and all acts for and on behalf of the undersigned that may be necessary or desirable to complete and execute any such document, complete and execute any amendment or amendments thereto, and timely file such form with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any stock exchange or similar authority; and
 
5.           taking any other action of any type whatsoever in connection with the Solicitation, including entering into any settlement agreement, that in the opinion of such attorney-in-fact, may be of benefit to, in the best interest of, or legally required by, the undersigned, it being understood that the documents executed by such attorney-in-fact on behalf of the undersigned pursuant to this Power of Attorney shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as such attorney-in-fact may approve in such attorney-in-fact’s discretion.
 
The undersigned hereby grants to such attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform any and every act and thing whatsoever requisite, necessary, or proper to be done in the exercise of any of the rights and powers herein granted, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if personally present, with full power of substitution or revocation, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact, or such attorney-in-fact’s substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of this Power of Attorney and the rights and powers herein granted.  The undersigned acknowledges that the foregoing attorney-in-fact, in serving in such capacity at the request of the undersigned, is not assuming any of the undersigned's responsibilities to comply with Section 13(d), Section 16 or Section 14 of the Exchange Act.
 
This Power of Attorney shall remain in full force and effect until the undersigned is no longer a member of the Group unless earlier revoked by the undersigned in a signed writing delivered to the foregoing attorney-in-fact.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of this 23rd day of February 2017.
 

/s/ Mitchell E. Fadel
Mitchell E. Fadel
 
 
 

 
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
Know all by these presents, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Glenn W. Welling the undersigned’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact to take any and all action in connection with (i) the undersigned’s beneficial ownership of, or participation in a group with respect to, securities of Rent-A-Center, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), directly or indirectly beneficially owned by Engaged Capital Flagship Master Fund, LP or any of its affiliates or members of its Schedule 13D group (collectively, the “Group”), and (ii) any proxy solicitation of the Group to elect the Group’s slate of director nominees to the board of directors of the Company at the 2017 annual meeting of stockholders of the Company (the “Solicitation”).  Such action shall include, but not be limited to:
 
1.           executing for and on behalf of the undersigned any Schedule 13D, and amendments thereto, filed by the Group that are required to be filed under Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules thereunder in connection with the undersigned’s beneficial ownership of, or participation in a group with respect to, securities of the Company or the Solicitation;
 
2.           if applicable, executing for and on behalf of the undersigned all Forms 3, 4 and 5 required to be filed under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act in connection with the undersigned’s beneficial ownership of, or participation in a group with respect to, securities of the Company or the Solicitation;
 
3.           executing for and on behalf of the undersigned all Joint Filing and Solicitation Agreements or similar documents pursuant to which the undersigned shall agree to be a member of the Group;
 
4.           performing any and all acts for and on behalf of the undersigned that may be necessary or desirable to complete and execute any such document, complete and execute any amendment or amendments thereto, and timely file such form with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any stock exchange or similar authority; and
 
5.           taking any other action of any type whatsoever in connection with the Solicitation, including entering into any settlement agreement, that in the opinion of such attorney-in-fact, may be of benefit to, in the best interest of, or legally required by, the undersigned, it being understood that the documents executed by such attorney-in-fact on behalf of the undersigned pursuant to this Power of Attorney shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as such attorney-in-fact may approve in such attorney-in-fact’s discretion.
 
The undersigned hereby grants to such attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform any and every act and thing whatsoever requisite, necessary, or proper to be done in the exercise of any of the rights and powers herein granted, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if personally present, with full power of substitution or revocation, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact, or such attorney-in-fact’s substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of this Power of Attorney and the rights and powers herein granted.  The undersigned acknowledges that the foregoing attorney-in-fact, in serving in such capacity at the request of the undersigned, is not assuming any of the undersigned's responsibilities to comply with Section 13(d), Section 16 or Section 14 of the Exchange Act.
 
This Power of Attorney shall remain in full force and effect until the undersigned is no longer a member of the Group unless earlier revoked by the undersigned in a signed writing delivered to the foregoing attorney-in-fact.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of this 23rd day of February 2017.
 

/s/ Christopher B. Hetrick
Christopher B. Hetrick
 
 
 

 
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
Know all by these presents, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Glenn W. Welling the undersigned’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact to take any and all action in connection with (i) the undersigned’s beneficial ownership of, or participation in a group with respect to, securities of Rent-A-Center, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), directly or indirectly beneficially owned by Engaged Capital Flagship Master Fund, LP or any of its affiliates or members of its Schedule 13D group (collectively, the “Group”), and (ii) any proxy solicitation of the Group to elect the Group’s slate of director nominees to the board of directors of the Company at the 2017 annual meeting of stockholders of the Company (the “Solicitation”).  Such action shall include, but not be limited to:
 
1.           executing for and on behalf of the undersigned any Schedule 13D, and amendments thereto, filed by the Group that are required to be filed under Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules thereunder in connection with the undersigned’s beneficial ownership of, or participation in a group with respect to, securities of the Company or the Solicitation;
 
2.           if applicable, executing for and on behalf of the undersigned all Forms 3, 4 and 5 required to be filed under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act in connection with the undersigned’s beneficial ownership of, or participation in a group with respect to, securities of the Company or the Solicitation;
 
3.           executing for and on behalf of the undersigned all Joint Filing and Solicitation Agreements or similar documents pursuant to which the undersigned shall agree to be a member of the Group;
 
4.           performing any and all acts for and on behalf of the undersigned that may be necessary or desirable to complete and execute any such document, complete and execute any amendment or amendments thereto, and timely file such form with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any stock exchange or similar authority; and
 
5.           taking any other action of any type whatsoever in connection with the Solicitation, including entering into any settlement agreement, that in the opinion of such attorney-in-fact, may be of benefit to, in the best interest of, or legally required by, the undersigned, it being understood that the documents executed by such attorney-in-fact on behalf of the undersigned pursuant to this Power of Attorney shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as such attorney-in-fact may approve in such attorney-in-fact’s discretion.
 
The undersigned hereby grants to such attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform any and every act and thing whatsoever requisite, necessary, or proper to be done in the exercise of any of the rights and powers herein granted, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if personally present, with full power of substitution or revocation, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact, or such attorney-in-fact’s substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of this Power of Attorney and the rights and powers herein granted.  The undersigned acknowledges that the foregoing attorney-in-fact, in serving in such capacity at the request of the undersigned, is not assuming any of the undersigned's responsibilities to comply with Section 13(d), Section 16 or Section 14 of the Exchange Act.
 
This Power of Attorney shall remain in full force and effect until the undersigned is no longer a member of the Group unless earlier revoked by the undersigned in a signed writing delivered to the foregoing attorney-in-fact.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of this 23rd day of February 2017.
 

/s/ Carol A. McFate
Carol A. McFate

 
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