Missouri Rental Dealers Association Wrap 14th Annual Trade Show in Lake Ozark
2018 MRDA Bass Fishing Tournament
The Missouri Rental Dealers Association wrapped its three-day annual regional trade show and seminar on Thursday, June 14. More than 140 rental dealers and 15 vendor companies from five states in the Midwest gathered in Lake of the Ozarks for networking, educational product seminars, golf and bass fishing tournaments, an awards banquet and a trade show offering MRDA exclusive specials.
At the awards banquet, MRDA President John Cleek, Jr., welcomed attendees and introduced the state associations board members: Aaron Windsor, Vice President; Scott Mitchell, Secretary/Treasurer; Cindy Boyers, “Tiger” John Cleek, Dan Cole, Mark Connelly, Kevin Hollaway, Macy Mitchell, Tom Moore, Jerry Pinkley, Gary Romine, Joe Laney, Tim Mayer, Kevin Walker and Mark Windsor. Cleek made a special recognition honoring former board member Chuck Kuluva for his dedication to the association and the industry. Kuluva announced retirement early this year and has sold his company, Rental City Inc., to industry veteran Rick Rineberg.
Dennis Shields, John Cleek, Jr., Jill McClure, Kelly McClellan and John Blair
Also at the banquet, Show Me RTO Owner, MRDA Past President, APRO Past President Senator (District 3) Gary Romine provided a Missouri state of the industry update and discussed the importance of government relations on a local level. MRDA keynote speaker, APRO Executive Director Jill McClure shared details about the inaugural RTO World 2018: The National Rent-To-Own Convention and Trade Show August 21-23 in St. Louis along with an update on APRO’s legislative monitoring, strategic planning and the APRO Education Scholarship Fund.
Heather, Thomas and John Cleek, Jr.
Cleek closed with a special announcement notifying attendees that Ken Steiner has decided not to retire at this time, and will continue to serve the state association in his role as MRDA Executive Director. “This guy right here—does a lot of work to make this event everything that it is,” says Cleek. “Without him, this event would not be possible. Thank you, Ken, for everything you do.”
Click here to see more photos of the 2018 MRDA Heartland of America Regional Trade Show and Seminar.
Golf Tournament Winners
1st Place: Thomas Cleek, James Evans, Langley Johnson and Gary Romine
Closest to Pin: Mark Windsor
Women’s Longest Drive: Kathy Windsor
Men’s Longest Drive: Thomas Cleek
Longest Putt: Thomas Cleek
Closest to Pin: Paul Gibbons
Bass Fishing Tournament Winners
1st Place: Dan Cole and Steve Braning
4 keepers; 7.18 lb total weight
2nd Place: Ron Reyering and Vic Lombardo
4 keepers; 4.35 lb total weight
3rd Place: Tiger Cleek and John Cleek, Jr.
2 keepers; 2.84 lb total weight
4th Place: Bruce Manning and Shawn Oligschlaeger
2 keepers; 2.69 lb total weight
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.
