Association of Progressive Rental Organizations

Are You Following APRO’s Digital Channels of Communication?

How do you receive news? Chances are high that your news updates come in some type of digital form. Whether news is received by email subscriptions, customized alerts, internet search engines or social media, APRO News is no different. APRO has three main channels of digital communication: website, RTOHQ.org; e-newsletter, RTO Today; and social media, Facebook and Twitter.  Each channel distributes rent-to-own industry news differently so it is important to understand the difference and what to expect from each. APRO’s website, RTOHQ.org, is the hub for all industry and association related information. Industry news is displayed on the website’s landing page as well as its own page titled “Industry News” located under the “News Publications & Advertising” pulldown tab along the top of the website’s homepage. APRO’s news page is updated as news is received. RTO Today, APRO’s bi-weekly e-newsletter, is the association website’s convenient counterpart. The newsletter is published twice a week and delivered to your email address of choice. RTO Today features industry news as well as industry alerts that directly impact your business. With plenty of articles regarding current events, you will always be up to speed with RTO happenings. You will also find information on any conferences, meetings or shows that are coming up in the next few months. If you don’t have time to explore APRO’s website, click here to start receiving RTO Today this week. Craving RTO updates on an even more convenient platform? Look no further than your very own Facebook and Twitter accounts. APRO’s social media pages for Facebook and Twitter can be found by searching its handle, @RTOHQ. Industry news is distributed in an even more up-to-date fashion on APRO’s social media but visibility can be tricky…
APRO’s Twitter Page
On Twitter, simply “follow” to add APRO to your newsfeed. Once you’re following, you can go one step further and select “Turn on mobile notifications” to receive APRO tweet alerts.
APRO’s Facebook Page
On Facebook, select to “Like” the page to add APRO to your newsfeed. Once you’ve done so, be sure to “Follow” the page as well to receive every post. You can then customize how you would like to see updates in your feed by updating your preferences on the “Following” pulldown tab. We encourage engagement on all of APRO’s digital channels of communication so please, like, comment, share or retweet. We’re happy to do the same! Make sure to let APRO know of any events, past or upcoming, that you would like publicized. Send us your press releases, photographs and videos, and we will be sure the word gets out. For assistance, more information or to submit industry news, contact APRO’s Director of Marketing Communications Valerie Villarreal, 800/204-2776, ext. 105, vvillarreal@rtohq.org.

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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.