Association of Progressive Rental Organizations
JOIN APRO
JOIN APRO

Aaron’s Partners with Warrick Dunn Charities for the Holidays

Aaron’s Inc. partners with Warrick Dunn Charities to furnish single mother India Williams’ new home.
Aaron’s Inc. surprised two single-parent families in Tallahassee, Florida by furnishing their entire new home as part of its partnership with Warrick Dunn Charities’ Homes for the Holidays program sponsored by former NFL star Warrick Dunn. The program assists single parents as they become first-time homeowners. Warrick Dunn Charities, in partnership with Aaron’s and Habitat for Humanity affiliates, helps transform the house into a fully furnished home including furniture, food and all the amenities associated with being settled in a personal home. Referred to as a “hand up” and not a hand-out, these families have successfully completed the homeownership requirements specified by Habitat for Humanity and required by Warrick Dunn Charities. “Aaron’s is thrilled to once again partner with Warrick Dunn and Habitat for Humanity and present beautiful new homes to these women who have worked so hard to achieve home ownership,” says John Robinson, chief executive officer of Aaron’s, Inc. “I’m inspired by these single mothers, who deserve safe and comfortable homes to raise their children. We are so happy that they can begin the holiday season in such a wonderful way and enjoy their new homes with their families.” To date, Homes for Holidays have rewarded 157 single parents and more than 400 children and dependents with first-time homeownership in 15 cities across the nation. The latest two homes were presented to India Williams, a mother of four and a clinical support specialist at Big Bend Hospice in Tallahassee, Florida and Maria Wright, a mother of three children whose primary job is to provide nursing care for medically fragile children who are too sick to enroll in traditional daycare at Pediatria Healthcare. Aaron’s has been a longtime supporter of Warrick Dunn Charities initiatives and has been contributing home furnishings, appliances and electronics to the Homes for the Holidays program since 1997.

Upcoming Events

View Calendar



Popular Resources

Sign up for APRO Today

Copyright © · All Rights Reserved · APRO Privacy Policy · APRO Antitrust Policy

Facebook Linkedin Twitter Youtube
Copyright © · All Rights Reserved · APRO Privacy Policy
Facebook Twitter Youtube Flickr

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.