8-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): July 28, 2014

AARON’S, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Georgia	1-13941	58-0687630
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (404) 231-0011
309 E. Paces Ferry Road, N.E. Atlanta, Georgia	30305-2377
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

ITEM 5.02 DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR CERTAIN OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN OFFICERS; COMPENSATORY ARRANGEMENTS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS

On July 28, 2014 John B. Schuerholz, a director of Aaron’s, Inc. (the “Company”), notified the Company of his resignation from the Company’s Board of Directors, effective July 31, 2014. Accordingly, the Board of Directors appointed H. Eugene Lockhart to fill the vacancy created by Mr. Schuerholz’s resignation, effective August 1, 2014. Mr. Lockhart will serve as a director of the Company until the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders in 2015 and until his successor is elected and qualified or until his earlier resignation, removal from office or death. Mr. Lockhart will serve on the Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors. Mr. Schuerholz’s resignation did not result from any disagreement with the Company on any matter.

The Company issued a press release, dated July 31, 2014, related to these matters, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

ITEM 9.01    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(d)    Exhibits:

Exhibit No.Description

99.1 Press release dated July 31, 2014.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	AARON’S, INC.
	By:	/s/ Gilbert L. Danielson
		Gilbert L. Danielson
		Executive Vice President,
Date: August 1, 2014		Chief Financial Officer

EX-99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                    

Aaron's, Inc. Announces Gene Lockhart to Join Board of Directors

John Schuerholz to Retire from Aaron’s Board after Eight Years of Service

ATLANTA (July 31, 2014) -- Aaron's, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), a lease-to-own retailer specializing in the sales and lease ownership of furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories, announced today that Gene Lockhart, former President and CEO of MasterCard Worldwide, will join the Aaron’s, Inc. Board of Directors effective August 1, 2014. John Schuerholz, President of the Atlanta Braves, will retire from Aaron’s Board after eight years of service.

"Gene has tremendous experience as an innovator in the financial services industries where he promoted changes that benefit consumers,” said Ray M. Robinson, Chairman of Aaron’s, Inc. Board of Directors. “We are delighted that he has agreed to join the Aaron’s board and believe his contributions as a Director will be invaluable to the Company during this transformative period. Gene was an investor and member of the Board of the recently acquired Progressive Finance, so he knows our business well. Virtual RTO is playing an increasingly large role in our industry and we look forward to being able to draw on Gene’s expertise as Aaron’s continues to lead the development of this offering to our customers.”

Lockhart formerly served as President and CEO of MasterCard Worldwide and currently serves as Special Advisor to General Atlantic, a leading global growth equity firm providing capital and strategic support for growth companies. During his tenure at MasterCard Worldwide, he led the company’s transition to become a for-profit enterprise. He also led the retail and commercial banking businesses globally as President of the Global Retail Bank at Bank of America until its sale to NationsBank. Lockhart also was the CEO of Midland Bank UK and Chairman of First Direct and Thomas Cook where he led Midland's transition to a highly profitable domestic banking business which resulted in its eventual sale to HSBC. He has been a successful private investor and advisor to several private equity firms where he focuses on high-growth financial services technology companies, traditional banks, and non-bank financial providers. Lockhart served on the board of Progressive Finance, which was acquired by Aaron’s in April 2014, and has served on many public company boards including First Republic Bank, RJR/Nabisco, Huron Consulting, Cognizant, IMS Health and RadioShack. He championed innovations in the global payments industry while serving on the boards of many payments enterprises including APACS, CHAPS, SWIFT, and Europay and also provided his expertise to several U.S. and European commissions focused on payments infrastructure and security.

Ron Allen, Aaron’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “It is a pleasure to join Ray in welcoming Gene to our board. Also, all of us at Aaron’s want to acknowledge and thank John Schuerholz for his many years of service to Aaron’s. John is a visionary and has been a key advocate as our Company undergoes a strategic transformation to respond to today’s market needs. He’s also leading change and growth for the Atlanta Braves and we’re looking forward to seeing the great future that’s in store for that iconic organization.”

Schuerholz joined Aaron’s Board of Directors in 2006 and served most recently on the Board’s Audit and Compensation Committees. He was Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Atlanta Braves professional baseball organization before becoming President in 2008. Prior to joining the Atlanta Braves in 1990, he was employed from 1968 with the Kansas City Royals professional baseball organization in various management positions until being named Executive Vice President and General Manager of that organization in 1981. Schuerholz’ 45 years of leadership and management experience include an executive position with Major League Baseball and service on numerous committees of Major League Baseball. His appointment to lead the league’s program on leadership and management demonstrates the management skills which, together with his strong community prominence, were valuable assets to Aaron’s Board of Directors.

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About Aaron's, Inc.

Aaron's, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), a leader in the sales and lease ownership and specialty retailing of furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories, currently offers its services through more than 2,100 Company-operated and franchised stores in 48 states and Canada. Aaron's was founded in 1955, is headquartered in Atlanta and has been publicly traded since 1982. For more information, visit www.aarons.com. Aaron's, Inc. includes the Aarons.com, ShopHomeSmart.com and ProgFinance.com brands. Progressive Finance, a wholly-owned subsidiary and leading virtual lease-to-own company, provides lease-purchase solutions through over 15,000 retail locations in 46 states.

Aaron's Media Contact:

Garet Hayes

Aaron's Director of Public Relations

678-402-3863 or garet.hayes@aarons.com