Association of Progressive Rental Organizations
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Divine Intervention Paired with Faith and Generosity

Maria Elena Barragan with her new 2019 Buick Encore from David and Sheila Harrison

APRO Board Member, David Harrison, and wife, Sheila, regular patrons of an Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant, told the manager they needed to speak with their waitress after their meal. Afraid of being in trouble, Maria Elena Barragan, immediately felt scared as she walked back to their table, however, was given a gift bag rather than a reprimand. Inside the bag, Barragan found a title in her name to a 2019 Buick Encore.

Maria Elena Barragan standing next to Sheila and David Harrison after receiving the title to her new car

While their friendship has grown since 2006, Barragan immediately said the gift was too much and that she couldn’t accept it. Harrison told her that God led him to give her the car. Raising her children on her own, Barragan reminded Harrison of his mom. Harrison’s mom was hardworking and lived a life filled with strong Christian faith, all while taking care of him and his siblings.

The story garnered a lot of local media attention from online news websites such as arkansasonline.com and even the well-known radio show, The Bobby Bones Show. However, this was not the first time the couple has given away a car to a hardworking single mom. When Harrison was 23-years-old, his mother asked him if he could take her car to replace the tires. While driving to the shop, Harrison realized how old and unsafe the car was and then discussed the poor condition of it to his wife. His wife encouraged him to buy his mom a new vehicle, and that same day, Harrison surprised his mom and dropped off her brand new car.

That first experience, and how he felt, never left Harrison. RNR Tire Express [RNR], the nation’s fastest-growing tire and custom wheel franchise, annually gives away cars to mothers on Mother’s Day. Harrison is a partner in Rental Concepts, an RNR Franchise Group with stores in Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. As part of their philanthropic mission, RNR asks communities to nominate a ‘superhero mom’ to be surprised with a free car. This past year, three moms drove home with a Ford Fusion and two Buick Encores.

In case you missed it, click here to read APRO’s coverage on the RNR Mother’s Day Giveaway.

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Mike Lewis

Central Properties dba Premier Rental-Purchase

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.