Association of Progressive Rental Organizations

Aaron’s and Progressive Leasing Complete 27th Keystone Makeover in Massachusetts

Aaron’s and Progressive Leasing completed the 27th Keystone Club Makeover last week at the Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. 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.
Aaron’s and Progressive Leasing surprised teens last Wednesday with a newly renovated Keystone Teen Center at the Boys & Girls Club of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Through a partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), Aaron’s and Progressive Leasing have completed 27 Keystone Teen Center makeovers to date. With input from BGCA, teen members and club officials, Aaron’s associates spent last week painting, decorating and furnishing the club’s multipurpose space. 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 paint. Teens can enjoy the redesigned areas dedicated to leadership development, study, lounging and games. “The Boys & Girls Club provides a safe and encouraging space for Pittsfield teens to achieve their goals and own their futures,” says Chief Executive Officer of Aaron’s John Robinson. “On our 27th Teen Center renovation, Aaron’s is proud to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of America by providing these Massachusetts teens with the resources and technology that will allow them to excel as leaders in their community.” Pittsfield Mayor Linda Tyer attended the surprise unveiling and addressed the crowd. “The Boys & Girls Club is an integral part of our community. For decades, generations of youth in Pittsfield and throughout the Berkshires have found the Club to be a safe and nurturing place where they can soar to their highest potential,” says Tyer. “I am thrilled to see the recent transformation as I know it will further add to the energy and vibrancy of the Club’s Keystone Program, providing more young people with the tools to achieve their dreams.”
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 paint. Teens can enjoy the redesigned areas dedicated to leadership development, study, lounging and games.
In 2015, the Aaron’s Foundation 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 in which to plan and participate in activities that focus on community service, academic success, career preparation and teen outreach. “Teens who participate in Boys & Girls Club programs see improvements in grades and graduation rates, preparing them for greater success as young adults and giving them the confidence needed to succeed,” says Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires Joseph McGovern. “With the support of Aaron’s, which has provided a state-of-the-art space for our Club with new technology and furniture, our teens will learn and develop the skills that lead to successful futures.” The 26 previous Keystone Club makeovers have included Boys & Girls Clubs in cities such as Cincinnati, Las Vegas, Chicago, Hartford and Miami. The makeover at the Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires includes an additional in-kind retail donation valued at $28,000.

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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.