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RTOHQ’s Top 10

BestofRTOHQ_RTOHQND16Lucky for you, the headlines on APRO’s website did not echo those found on other sites over the past year. Unlike some other cyber sources, we came up short on venom, snark and fake news while reporting on the world of rent-to-own. Here are the articles that were most viewed by visitors to APRO’s newly redesigned website in 2016. It’s always interesting to discover what makes you click. If you’re unfamiliar with these RTO happenings, here is your chance to get up to speed.

10. TRIB Group’s Meeting of the Minds Sells Over $10.5 Million, Breaks Attendance Record August 30 The buying group’s annual summer show in Las Vegas boasted 101 member companies in attendance and a hotter-than-hot Hot Show. 9. Meet RTO Employee Tennyson Cox July 25 Cox, a 15-year veteran in the RTO industry, is director of operational support for SEI/Aaron’s, which operates 107 stores on the East Coast and in the Midwest. 8. Aaron’s Breaks Guinness World Record Title for Largest Human Mattress Dominoes March 23 More than 1,000 mattresses came tumbling down in Washington, D.C., with the help of 2,000 Aaron’s associates. The toppled bedding was donated to charities in the nation’s capital. 7. Aaron’s Wraps 2016 Holiday Season with December’s Big Blue Bow Event December 5 The company’s month-long frenzy of shopping deals and big-prize giveaways included a brand-new 2017 Kia Forte EX—a blue one, of course. 6. John Blair Inducted Into the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame October 18 Blair, a longtime RTO vendor for PTS Direct Benefits & Tax Service, was one of only 17—out of 106 nominees—to be selected for the honor this year. 5. In Memoriam: Chuck Sims August 25 One of APRO’s pioneers and a rent-to-own legend passed away on August 16. APRO’s general counsel, Ed Winn III, shares his thoughts on a great man. 4. RNR Tire Express & Custom Wheels Inks 58-Unit Franchise Deal November 10 “It was a no-brainer for us to decide to open as many [RNR] stores as we could in the Southeast,” says Shannon Strunk, who, along with his wife, Cynthia Baber-Strunk, signed on the dotted line. 3. Aaron’s and The Wendy Williams Show Announce the Big Blue Bow Home Makeover for One Lucky Winner with a Full House of Furniture November 17 Williams’ empowering messages parallel that of Aaron’s sentiment to help customers “own the life you want.” 2. Congratulations to the 2016 Scholarship Recipients August 10 APRO and TRIB Group, along with the Tennessee and Florida state rental dealer associations, awarded more than $100,000 to over 50 students. 1. Buddy’s Home Furnishings Acquires HomeSmart August 22 The Florida-based franchise’s deal includes 67 HomeSmart locations across the Southeast. Currently, Buddy’s has 279 stores in 20 states and Guam.

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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.