Aaron’s And Progressive Leasing Unveil 20th Keystone Makeover For Cincinnati Teens
Aaron’s, Inc. and its divisions Aaron’s and Progressive Leasing, surprised teens on Wednesday with a newly renovated Keystone Teen Center at the U.S. Bank Boys & Girls Club of Cincinnati. As part of Aaron’s three-year, $5 million partnership with Keystone, which inspires teens to “Own It” by taking ownership of their choices to build the lives they deserve, Aaron’s associates have remodeled 20 Keystone Teen Centers across the U.S.
ATLANTA, April 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Aaron’s, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), a leading omnichannel provider of lease-purchase solutions, and its divisions Aaron’s and Progressive Leasing, surprised teens on Wednesday with a newly renovated Keystone Teen Center at the U.S. Bank Boys & Girls Club of Cincinnati.
Through a partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and input from the teen members, Aaron’s associates and Club officials worked on Monday painting, decorating and furnishing gaming, lounge and leadership programming spaces at the Club. On Wednesday, local Aaron’s associates and Club officials unveiled the new space, which is now equipped with new technology, sectionals, tables and chairs, sound systems and fresh coats of paint. Teens chose the special Sherwin-Williams™ paint colors for the room: Heartthrob, Serious Gray, Black Magic and Alabaster.
“The U.S. Bank Boys & Girls Club provides a safe and encouraging space for Cincinnati teens to achieve their goals and own their futures,” said John Robinson, CEO of Aaron’s, Inc. “On our 20th Teen Center renovation, Aaron’s is proud to once again support the Boys & Girls Clubs of America by providing these teens with the resources and technology that will allow them to excel as leaders in their community.”
Keystone teen members of the U.S. Bank Boys & Girls Club of Cincinnati were surprised on Wednesday when associates from Aaron’s, Inc. and its divisions Aaron’s and Progressive Leasing, unveiled a newly renovated Keystone Teen Center. As part of Aaron’s three-year, $5 million national partnership with Keystone, Aaron’s associates have remodeled 20 Keystone Teen Centers across the U.S.
Cincinnati Councilman Wendell Young attended the surprise unveiling and addressed the crowd. “The Boys & Girls Clubs of America has occupied a special place in my heart ever since I accepted my first job with the Club many years ago,” he said. “I grew up in Avondale and today, my wife and I still call this place home. Thanks to our community partners like Aaron’s, members of the U.S. Bank Club now have a well-equipped space that will inspire them to work hard and chase their dreams.”
In 2015, the Aaron’s Foundation, Inc. announced a three-year, $5 million national partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Keystone Program, helping teens develop their character and leadership skills in hopes of helping them reach their potential and creating positive change in the community. Keystone Club teen centers provide members ages 14-18 an environment to plan and participate in activities that focus on community service, academic success, career preparation and teen outreach.
The 19 previous Keystone Club makeovers have included Boys & Girls Clubs in cities such as Los Angeles, San Antonio, Nashville, Las Vegas, Chicago and Miami. The makeover at the U.S. Bank Boys & Girls Club of Cincinnati includes an additional in-kind retail donation valued at $26,000.
“Teens who participate in Boys & Girls Club programs see improvements in grades and graduation rates, preparing them for greater success as young adults,” said Valarie Pollard, Club Director of the U.S. Bank Boys and Girls Club of Cincinnati. “With the support of Aaron’s, which has provided a state-of-the-art space for our club with new technology, furniture and appliances, our teens will learn and develop the skills that lead to successful futures.”
Aaron’s partnership with BGCA’s Keystone Program inspires teens to “Own It” by taking ownership of their choices to build the lives they deserve. The Aaron’s and Keystone Club “Own Your Future” campaign supports three principles:
Own Your Path: No matter where you come from, the future is yours to decide.
Own Your Decisions: Making good choices opens more doors for your future.
Own Your Community: Use your talents to make an impact in your community.
To see photos of the Keystone Club remodel at the U.S. Bank Boys & Girls Club of Cincinnati, visit Aaron’s on Facebook (www.facebook.com/aaronsinc), on Twitter (www.twitter.com/AaronsInc) and at www.AaronsGives.com.
About Aaron’s, Inc.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Aaron’s, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), is a leading omnichannel provider of lease-purchase solutions. Aaron’s Business engages in the sales and lease ownership and specialty retailing of furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories through its more than 1,850 Company-operated and franchised stores in 47 states and Canada as well as its e-commerce platform Aarons.com. In addition, Progressive Leasing, a virtual lease-to-own company, provides lease-purchase solutions through approximately 22,000 retail locations in 46 states. Dent-A-Med, Inc., d/b/a the HELPcard®, provides a variety of second-look credit products that are originated through federally insured banks. For more information, visit investor.aarons.com, Aarons.com, ProgLeasing.com, and HELPcard.com.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of AmericaFor more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,100 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Club programs promote academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at www.facebook.com/bgca.clubs and https://twitter.com/BGCA_Clubs.
Media Contact: Garet Hayes; garet.hayes@aarons.com; 678-402-3863
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.
