Association of Progressive Rental Organizations

Latest RTOHQ: The Magazine Tax Act Delivers Cash to Your Wallet

The cover story for the Spring 2018 issue of RTOHQ: The Magazine takes a look at Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which made some notable changes to the Internal Revenue Code. Most of these changes took effect January 1, 2018, while a select few were effective starting the 2017 tax year. On page 30, you can learn how you and your business are affected as we sort through the details. In this issue, enjoy reading about the events and many attractions at RTO World 2018: The National Rent-to-Own Convention and Trade Show Hosted by APRO and TRIB Group, August 21-23 in St. Louis, Missouri. Get ready for the biggest rent-to-own convention and trade show. While you’re in St. Louis, mixing RTO World business with pleasure will be easy with so much this destination has to offer. Check out page 22 to plan your trip to St. Louis for RTO World! For our member profiles this issue, we spotlight Terah Vail and Geron Vail, a father and daughter working together to challenge and encourage one another at FAN Sales & Leasing, dba Aaron’s, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. You can read their full stories on pages 46 and 52. And if you have not had the pleasure of meeting him, let us introduce you to RNR Tire Express Vice President of Franchising Vince Ficarotta in this issue’s APROfile. With an entrepreneurial lineage, this Floridian is rolling out successful franchisees while indulging in some playful piracy. A few months ago, APRO members met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill for the annual APRO Legislative Conference. In our feature, “APRO Shakes Hands on The Hill,” we report on the conference and the legislative experience. Always one of APRO’s most read and appreciated contributors to RTOHQ: The Magazine is the association’s general counsel, Ed Winn III. In this issue, he delves into liability damage waivers (LDW) and provides a quick review of rental agreements and LDW. Because there are few, if any, rental dealers who do not offer an optional LDW in their rental agreement, Winn explores the details regarding who is responsible for lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed rental property. Click here to read the entire Spring 2018 issue of RTOHQ: The Magazine.

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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.