RALEIGH, NC – Retail automation technology company ECR Software Corporation (ECRS) is establishing the Curt Kennington Memorial Scholarship to help the families of members of the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA). ECRS will fund this new $5,000 annual scholarship beginning in 2026. The scholarship will be awarded annually for at least five years through 2030.
Kennington’s career in the retail IT industry began in the late 1940s working for Burroughs Corporation after attending Charlotte (NC) College. In 1960, he founded Cash Register Systems, a longtime member of the ICRDA (Independent Cash Register Dealers Association), and successfully led the company until his retirement in 1999.
Kennington joined the ICRDA (now the RSPA) in 1963 and made an immediate impact. He was responsible for publication of the first association member directory and volunteered to publish and distribute the ICRDA News Bulletin.
He was elected to the Board in 1968, elected President in 1970, and re-elected President in 1972, making him the only two-term President in the association’s 78-year history. Kennington also served as Chairman of the Board from 1974-76, and in 1976 he was elected Secretary-Treasurer, serving in that role for over a decade.
Kennington received the association’s H.O. Whistler Award for outstanding service in 1971, was named an association Life Member in 1988, and was the first inductee into the RSPA Retail Technology Industry Hall of Fame in 2008.
ECRS founder and CEO Pete Catoe established the Kennington Scholarship to honor his mentor Curt, recognizing his optimism, generosity, and commitment to the association. Catoe expressed that he misses Curt and hopes the scholarship will help others as Curt once helped him.
Follow this link to read more about how Kennington impacted Catoe: How I Learned The True Art of Business.
“Our community is grateful to Pete and ECRS for honoring Curt through this new scholarship,” said Jim Roddy, President & CEO of the RSPA. “For decades, Curt had a positive influence on ICRDA members, and it’s very special to see his positive influence continue today in the RSPA community. We are honored to continue Curt’s work through the RSPA Scholarship Program.”
The first Curt Kennington Memorial Scholarship recipient will be formally announced at RetailNOW 2026, the RSPA’s annual trade show, education conference, and networking event.
Since the inception of the RSPA Scholarship Program, the RSPA has awarded over 2,000 merit scholarships and nearly $3 million to families of member companies. The children and grandchildren of all RSPA members are eligible for merit-based scholarships to help ease the costs associated with post-secondary education.
For more information on the RSPA Scholarship Program, visit www.GoRSPA.org/scholarship or email the RSPA Member Services Team of Peggy Fry and Nicole Greene at Membership@GoRSPA.org.
About RSPA (Retail Solutions Providers Association)
The RSPA is North America’s largest community of VARs, software providers, vendors, and distributors in the retail, restaurant, and grocery verticals. The mission of the RSPA is to accelerate the success of its members in the retail technology ecosystem by providing knowledge and connections. The organization offers member-to-member warm introductions, education, legal advice, industry advocacy, and other services to assist members with becoming and remaining successful. RSPA is most well-known for its signature events, RetailNOW® and Inspire®, which provide face-to-face learning and networking opportunities. Learn more by visiting www.GoRSPA.org.
