Association of Progressive Rental Organizations

AcceptanceNOW and Rooms To Go Forge New Exclusive Partnership

image001AcceptanceNOW, a nationwide pioneer in the operation of rent-to-own kiosks within third-party retail outlets, recently announced that, beginning next month, it is the exclusive no-credit-needed payment option for Rooms To Go. 

“We are excited that Rooms To Go has chosen AcceptanceNOW as their exclusive no-credit-needed provider,” said Mark Denman, executive vice president of AcceptanceNOW.  “Rooms To Go is a top notch retailer, and we are pleased to be their exclusive choice.”

Over the years AcceptanceNOW has partnered with Rooms To Go in offering a no-credit-needed payment option for their customers.  The exclusivity will strengthen the partnership and will continue driving value for the customer. 

“Rooms To Go has always provided the best payment options available to our customers.  After listening carefully to what our customers prefer, we have chosen AcceptanceNOW as the only no credit needed payment option platform within our stores. AcceptanceNOW’s staffed model has been important to our growth and helped us focus on offering customers the right furnishings at the right price with attractive and easy-to-use payment options,” said Peter Engert, Director of Credit Operations for Rooms To Go.  

With over 140 locations, in 10 states and Puerto Rico, Rooms To Go is America’s #1 independent furniture company with the nation’s largest furniture inventory.  Rooms To Go offers stylish furniture at everyday low prices, original room packages, superior service and fast delivery.  The retailer is also the leader in children’s furniture through its Rooms To Go Kids chain and offers the widest array of themed room packages for children in the United States. For more information about the company, please visit www.roomstogo.com.

AcceptanceNOW, a division of Rent-A-Center, Inc. (NASDAQ/NGS:RCII), a rent-to-own industry leader, operates 1900 rent-to-own kiosks in third-party retail stores across the country.

Media Contact: Gina Hethcock, Rent-A-Center, Inc. Ph: 972-801-1424 Email: gina.hethcock@rentacenter.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.