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PrimeTime New Orleans Sets the Stage for Nationwide RentDirect Introductions

Nationwide RentDirect Director Keven Dalke and APRO Membership Manager Moriah Eberhart at the PrimeTime Expo

With music as tasteful as their food, New Orleans showed Nationwide RentDirect PrimeTime attendees a grand time August 17 – August 20. This year’s RentDirect portion of the PrimeTime show was hosted by newly appointed director, Keven Dalke, who took to the floor a forward–thinking mindset of the rent-to-own industry heading into 2020.

This being his first PrimeTime event, Dalke kicked off this year’s General Session by introducing himself and presenting the buying group’s new tagline: Member Focused. Performance Driven. Because We Only Win When You Do. In line with Nationwide’s new approach, Dalke added “we’re not your old school buying group,” before the unveiling of the company’s new logo at the event.

APRO General Counsel Ed Winn shares a legal industry update at the RentDirect Member Meeting

The excitement continued at the RentDirect Member Meeting where APRO General Counsel, Ed Winn III, and APRO Membership Manager, Moriah Eberhart, had the opportunity to address rent-to-own attendees. Winn provided an industry update while Eberhart presented APRO membership benefits. She also shared the APRO 2019 Legislative Conference video produced by Nationwide PrimeMedia that showcases the association’s annual advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C. on behalf of the industry and those who depend on RTO for their livelihood. Winn and Eberhart also interacted with attendees at the PrimeTime Expo, sharing their industry and association knowledge from how to get into rent-to-own to legal advice and membership programs.

This summer’s Nationwide PrimeTime event left attendees with more knowledge and a deeper grasp of the future while its location topped off the experience with its whimsical touch of sights, sounds, and character of the city. “You feel the soul of New Orleans in the atmosphere of the PrimeTime Show,” shares Eberhart. “The location offered such a unique opportunity to network with industry professionals – sharing the food and the music while attending this event was unforgettable.”

Click here to see more photos of Nationwide RentDirect PrimeTime New Orleans.

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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.