Association of Progressive Rental Organizations

Baber Strunk Enterprises Power of You Corporate Meeting

Baber’s Inc. Owner Shannon Strunk presents Manager of the Year award to Miriam Kripp of Baber’s Inc. in Grenada, Mississippi.
More than 90 managers from Baber Strunk Enterprises’ four companies—Baber’s Inc., RNR Tire Express, Check Now Inc. and Dairy Queen—met in Biloxi, Mississippi this September for their annual corporate meeting. This year’s theme was “The Power of You.” “We hoped to emphasize the impact managers can have in their own lives as well as the lives of others,” says Baber’s Inc. owner Cynthia Strunk. “This week focused on the power of a positive attitude and the success managers can have when they realize their value.” The three-day event kicked off with keynote speaker Eddie Kirby, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church in Pascagoula, Mississippi. In his presentation—The Happiness Advantage—Kirby outlined the importance of happiness in life and in the workplace.
Attendees participate in the “Office Towers” team building activity
This year’s breakout sessions focused on the power of positivity, training and motivation. The highly educational product training seminars were led by rent-to-own vendors including Gidget & Associates LLC, Climatic Home Products, Symbol Mattress and more. After the breakout sessions, attendees participated in a team building exercise—Office Towers—that used building blocks to demonstrate that every position is required for a strong standing organization, followed by a final training on policy and procedure. “I always knew there was money out there, but now I know that it is up to me to go and get it,” shares LaKeshia McIlwain of Baber’s in Butler, Alabama. “Being a first-time attendee, I did not know what to expect and did not want to come to this meeting, but I am so glad I did!” The highlight of the event was an awards banquet that recognized each company’s top performers including the highest honor, the Manager of the Year award. This year’s Baber Strunk Enterprises Managers of the Year are Shemika Coleman, Miriam Kripp, Mark Spicer, Kimberly Davis, and Clarence DeLoach. Click here to see more photos of the 2017 Baber Strunk Enterprises Corporate Meeting.

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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.