Association of Progressive Rental Organizations

O’Rourke Sales Company is pleased to announce Andrew Terry as President, Sales and Operations

andrew-terryAndrew Terry has joined O’Rourke Sales Company as President of Sales and Operations.  Mr. Terry brings a proven track record of results-oriented sales management, most recently as Sr. Vice President of Appliances at hhgregg.  Before that, he was at LG Electronics for ten years, last working as Sales Director of Electronics.  During that time, his relationship with O’Rourke Sales Company produced record setting levels of growth. Andrew states, “It is an honor to be named President, Sales and Operations with such a prestigious company.  I am excited to join the OSC team and bring my expertise to our sales teams and dealers.” O’Rourke supports its dealers with over 60 account managers whose main focus is to build their dealers business by offering exceptional service, support and the latest trends in product offerings. Jeff O’Rourke, CEO, states “We are pleased to welcome Andrew Terry to O’Rourke Sales Company. Andrew’s expertise and enthusiasm will undoubtedly assist our vast network of dealers in creating sustained and measurable growth, year to year.” O’Rourke Sales Company is a national wholesale distributor with over 50 years of distribution successes in consumer electronics, white goods and high-end appliances.  With seven strategically located shipping points across the nation, O’Rourke Sales Company is the largest TV supplier to the independent dealer base in the U.S. market.  Diverse manufacturer lineups offer cutting edge technologies within the consumer electronics, computers, phones and appliance divisions.  O’Rourke Sales Company services a broad customer base including Independent Retail, E-Commerce fulfillment, RTO, Buying Groups, Premium Incentive and Military channels.  Dealers enjoy one to two day deliveries across the majority of the United States. Please feel free to contact Andrew Terry at 800-800-8500 or at aterry@orourkesales.com. O’Rourke Sales Company,700 Lakeside Parkway, #100, Flower Mound, Texas  75028.  www.orourkesales.com

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Mike Lewis

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.