Aaron’s and Progressive Leasing Makeover New Hampshire Keystone Club
Aaron’s and Progressive Leasing surprised teens last week with a freshly revamped Keystone Teen Center at the Union Street Clubhouse of the Boys & Girls Club of Manchester.
Through an ongoing partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Aaron’s and Progressive Leasing surprised teens last week with a freshly revamped Keystone Teen Center at the Union Street Clubhouse of the Boys & Girls Club of Manchester.
With input from BGCA, teen members and club officials, Aaron’s associates spent last week 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 Union Street Boys & Girls Club provides a supportive environment for Manchester teens to achieve their goals and grow into leaders in their community,” says Chief Executive Officer John Robinson. “Aaron’s is proud to continue to work alongside the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to provide the necessary resources and technology that will instill and foster confidence in these teens.”
With input from BGCA, teen members and club officials, Aaron’s associates spent last week decorating and furnishing the Club’s multipurpose space.
Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig attended the unveiling and addressed the crowd. “The support and guidance of the Keystone Club program has a tremendous impact on these teens and they are so deserving of this amazing gift. It was wonderful to see firsthand such an impactful renovation provided by Aaron’s to the Teen Center, which helps set our teens up for success. I am grateful for Aaron’s commitment to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and to families across Manchester.”
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 Manchester teens who participate in Boys & Girls Club programs are given the confidence necessary to achieve success in the future,” states Boys & Girls Clubs of Manchester Chief Executive Officer Diane Fitzpatrick. “The support Aaron’s has provided through the new state-of-the-art technology, furniture and appliances will help us further our mission and help our teens grow into confident, successful young adults.”
The 27 previous Keystone Club makeovers have included Boys & Girls Clubs in cities such as Pittsfield, Cincinnati, Las Vegas, Chicago, Hartford and Miami. The makeover at the Union Street Clubhouse of the Boys & Girls Club of Manchester includes an additional in-kind retail donation valued at $25,000. Keystone teen members of the Union Street Clubhouse of the Boys & Girls Club of Manchester said the program inspires them to take ownership of their choices to build the lives they deserve.
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.
