Association of Progressive Rental Organizations (APRO)
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AIRD’s 2016 Annual Meeting Recap

aird-16-annual-meetingThe Association of Iowa Rental Dealers held its 2016 annual meeting in Johnston, Iowa yesterday. The meeting was very well attended by dealers, employees, vendors and industry dignitaries from across the country. “Another great Annual Meeting! I appreciate everyone making time in your busy schedules to attend,” shared AIRD President, Brian Luksetich.
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Ashley Furniture’s Vice President of Rental Sales and meeting sponsor, Gary Jones.
This year’s meeting featured six speakers. Ashley Furniture’s Vice President of Rental Sales and meeting sponsor, Gary Jones, covered internet marketing and reviewed the ins and outs of the Rent-to-Own Industry while touching on areas of opportunity. APRO’s President, Mark Connelly, reviewed his goals as APRO’s new President and his view of how the national association can help shield the RTO Industry from negative legislation with a proactive and positive agenda.
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Iowa Senator, Charles Schneider
Iowa Senator, Charles Schneider, he spoke on the topic of legislative importance and reviewed the 2016 Iowa legislative session. He discussed the upcoming elections and emphasized how they could affect the Iowa House and Senate. Jim Carney and Doug Struyk from Carney & Appleby Law, informed attendees how easy and important it is to know your local Representatives and Senators. They provided tips on how to do so such as a phone call, lunch meeting or better yet, stopping by a fundraiser and making a small contribution which would in turn paint a positive image of the RTO Industry. O’Rourke Sales Company’s Vice President and meeting sponsor, Bill French, explained how O’Rourke Sales Company can help solve appliance and electronic needs. A general discussion led by Tom Bernau, Lyn Leach, Casey Pristou and Mark Connelly contributed to the importance of telling the Rent-to-Own’s positive story at both state and national levels. If we as a whole don’t push for the RTO cause and explain the process and how it benefits customers and the economy to legislators, detractors have the opportunity to tell a much different story. During the business meeting the Board Members were elected as well as Officers. AIRD’s Spring Board Meeting is set for Thursday, May 11, 2017. AIRD Board Members
  • President, Secretary and Treasurer: Brian Luksetich
  • Vice President: Brent Gregurek
  • Tom Bernau
  • Mark Connelly
  • Lyn Leach
  • John Maitland
  • Tammy Maitland
  • Brandon Short
  • Ed Spuzello
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Mike Lewis

Central Properties dba Premier Rental-Purchase

Mike Lewis is a Premier Rental Purchase franchisee with multiple stores and currently serves as Vice President of Operations. With 33 years of experience in the rent-to-own industry, he has spent the past 20 years working closely with franchisee owners and previously spent 12 years in Corporate RTO, gaining a strong foundation in the business.

For the past five years, Mike has been sharing his knowledge by teaching managers and franchisees at the company’s Training Center.

Outside of work, he enjoys time with his family, kids, and grandkids, and appreciates the simple things in life – especially riding his Harley Davidson with the sun on his face. If you know, you know!

Lauren Talicska

Arona Corporation dba Arona Home Essentials

Lauren Talicska is an experienced multi-channel marketing specialist and the Vice President of Marketing & Communications at Arona Home Essentials. She has found her home in the RTO community, supporting stores in branding, growth, and increasing traffic.

You may recognize Lauren as a former RTO vendor, including her time as a partner for Nationwide RentDirect, or her previous participation in the APRO Vendor Advisory Committee. Lauren calls Columbus, Ohio, home and spends her workday crafting and executing marketing promotions from inception to realization, all while supporting the branding and social media needs of all the Arona stores in 12 states (plus Puerto Rico!).

Charles Smitherman

APRO

Charles Smitherman, JD, PhD, CAE, became CEO of APRO in 2023, bringing years of legal and executive experience in the rent-to-own industry. 

Prior to joining the association, Charles served as COO, General Counsel, and Vice President of PTS Financial Services, where he played an active role in the rent-to-own industry by representing his company through PTS’s club program offering with APRO member dealers. Charles is an attorney with two decades of experience across a wide variety of areas, including RTO, consumer financial services, antitrust, corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, litigation, franchise law, and privacy law. Following law school at the University of Georgia, Charles earned a Master of Legal Studies and PhD in Law from the University of Oxford in England.

Charles is credentialed as a Certified Association Executive (CAE) with the American Society of Association Executives, a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) with the International Franchise Association, and a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) and Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) through the International Association of Privacy Professionals. As APRO’s sixth CEO in its 45-year history, he brings a collaborative, member-focused approach to association leadership, emphasizing transparency, advocacy, and value creation. Outside of work, Charles is an active ultra runner and open water swimmer.

Mike Kays

Ashley Furniture Industries

As VP of Rental Sales for Ashley Furniture Industries, Mike thrives on building relationships with our RTO industry veterans, and helping businesses grow through new product, new marketing, and new supply chain options.

Mike works to leverage a wide breadth of relationships and influence, intimate knowledge of market trends, and unique knowledge of what RTO dealers need from a supplier to be successful.

The saying goes that a high tide raises all boats, and our goal is to leverage the world’s largest furniture manufacturer to drive the continued growth of the RTO industry and all the suppliers.

Mike Tissot

Countryside Rentals Inc., dba Rent-2-Own

Mike grew up in the rent-to-own industry under the guidance of his father, former APRO President and RTO legend Darrell Tissot. For nearly 25 years, Mike’s innovative leadership has helped expand the family business to more than 40 stores across Ohio and Kentucky while also shaping the industry as a whole.

He has served as President of the Ohio Rental Dealers Association, an APRO board member and Treasurer, and President and Treasurer of the TRIB Group. His contributions have earned him the APRO President’s Award of Excellence and the title of APRO Rental Dealer of the Year.

Outside of RTO, Mike enjoys time at the lake house or in Orange Beach, Alabama, with his girlfriend, Angela Strong McCool. A passionate Cincinnati Reds fan, he rarely misses a game, whether watching or listening alongside his parents. He also takes every opportunity to visit Arizona, where his daughter is currently attending Arizona State University.