Exhibit 99.1
PROG Holdings Appoints James P. Smith to Board of Directors
Smith is a recognized leader in leveraging digital platforms and emerging technologies, aligning with PROG Holdings’ strategic positioning
SALT LAKE CITY, May 11, 2021 – PROG Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:PRG), the fintech holding company of Progressive Leasing, a leading provider of in-store and e-commerce lease-to-own solutions, and Vive Financial, which offers omnichannel second-look revolving credit products, announced today that James P. Smith has been appointed to its Board of Directors.
“Jim brings an impressive track record of deep financial services and operational expertise as a leader in leveraging digital platforms and emerging technologies, which will be highly additive to our Board,” said Ray Robinson, Chairman of PROG Holdings.
“We’re pleased to welcome Jim as a new independent director,” said Steve Michaels, PROG Holdings’ President and Chief Executive Officer. “Jim is joining our Board at an exciting time in our Company’s history and I’m looking forward to working with him as we continue to develop and advance our strategic roadmap and execute on our growth initiatives as an asset-light, technology-driven provider of lease-to-own and buy-now, pay-later solutions.”
In connection with Mr. Smith’s appointment, the Company’s Board of Directors engaged in a thorough and deliberate process that was led by the Board’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Committee engaged executive search firm Spencer Stuart to assist it with conducting a nationwide search for potential director candidates, ensuring each candidate possessed the necessary skills and experiences to match the Company’s strategic direction.
About Jim Smith
Jim Smith is a seasoned leader and pioneer in digital, data, and financial services. Over the past 30 years, Jim has been at the forefront of leveraging technology and data in innovative ways and in developing new products. He helped create the first ever internet banking offering in 1995 and led