Association of Progressive Rental Organizations

APRO’s Deputy Executive Director Richard May Earns Certified Association Executive Credential

APRO-Richard-May-PortraitASAE has announced that Richard May, Deputy Executive Director of the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations has earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE®) designation. The CAE is the highest professional credential in the association industry. To be designated as a Certified Association Executive, an applicant must have a minimum of three years experience with nonprofit organization management, complete a minimum of 100 hours of specialized professional development, pass a stringent examination in association management, and pledge to uphold a code of ethics. To maintain the certification, individuals must undertake ongoing professional development and activities in association and nonprofit management. More than 4,200 association professionals currently hold the CAE credential. The CAE Program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). ASAE is a membership organization of more than 21,000 association executives and industry partners representing 9,300 organizations. The U.S. Labor Bureau reports more than 1 million association employees and of that 4,200 have been designated a CAE. Its members manage leading trade associations, individual membership societies and voluntary organizations across the United States and in nearly 50 countries around the world. With support of the ASAE Foundation, a separate nonprofit entity, ASAE is the premier source of learning, knowledge and future-oriented research for the association and nonprofit profession, and provides resources, education, ideas and advocacy to enhance the power and performance of the association and nonprofit community. For more information about ASAE, visit asaecenter.org. “For an association executive, attaining the designation of a Certified Association Executive (CAE) is a major accomplishment,” said APRO’s Executive Director Bill Keese. “I am very proud of Richard for earning his CAE accreditation. It shows his dedication to association management and his commitment to making APRO better.”

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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.