Association of Progressive Rental Organizations
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‘Tis the Season to Celebrate APRO Member Benefits

It’s that most wonderful time of year again, when the sounds of laughter, songs, and sleigh bells fill the streets ­‑ and it might be time to renew your APRO membership. APRO membership is one of the most valuable gifts you can give yourself in the RTO business!

What are the benefits of membership with APRO? That’s a great question! Come have a seat by the fire, sip some hot cocoa, and we’ll tell you all about it.

SAFEGUARDING THE INDUSTRY
The #1 priority for APRO is to safeguard the industry and protect your investment. This is our PRIMARY value proposition: Keeping you in business!

  • At both the state and federal levels, we monitor legislation daily and alert members and state associations. We then strategize, help coordinate stakeholders, and communicate these issues.
  • APRO does 100% of the federal protection for the RTO industry.
  • With state legislation, losing a battle in one state can easily mean a domino effect in other states. APRO’s members-only alerts will keep you informed on the items that could affect your business and your livelihood. In 2019, APRO has averaged two alerts a month, informing members of pending legislative issues.
  • APRO association management services are offered to state associations to strengthen our state-level grassroots advocacy by providing consistency, organization, and expertise. Those services include financial management, meeting logistics, and marketing.
  • APRO manages the industry’s Political Action Committee to collect campaign contributions from members and donate those funds to campaigns, ballot initiatives, or legislation that affect rent-to-own.

EDUCATION
Our education goals include creating consistency in practices, attracting and retaining customers and talent, marketing, and promoting a code of ethics. We support member success and the use of best practices to garner better results for members and the industry as a whole.

  • The code of ethics are standards that must be met. These standards help members avoid legal trouble, manage their reputations, and strengthen consumer confidence.
  • The APRO executive director and legal counsel frequently present and facilitate educational sessions to industry buying groups, state associations, and conventions. APRO also offers guidance on relevant speakers both inside and outside the industry for RTO events.
  • APRO provides education through our published content in our well-established digital and print communication channels. We produce a quarterly magazine, bi-weekly newsletter, and daily social media content. The new members-only portion of the APRO web site will provide updated state statutes, educational videos, and industry research.

INDUSTRY PUBLIC RELATIONS, RESEARCH & NEWS
We create and share positive public relations on behalf of our industry. Our PR is tied to all legislative efforts as it impacts lawmakers’ opinions and the opinions of their constituents.

  • APRO regularly handles media calls regarding the industry. APRO shares industry news with its members, the public, and lawmakers.
  • APRO is the official news and information source for its members and the industry. Members rely on APRO to share and learn about what’s going on in the industry.
  • APRO is the steward of key industry data and reports. Historically, entities such as the FTC have contacted APRO for up-to-date information on industry standards and research. Members, analysts, and investors frequently request our data to determine the industry climate. As a member, you receive access to this information that can help you with decision-making and acquiring funding.

LEGAL AUTHORITY FOR THE INDUSTRY
We are the legal authority for the industry.

  • APRO’s legal advice is a member benefit with both RTO-specific and wage & hour attorneys available for guidance. Email legal@rtohq.org or call us at 800/204.APRO with your legal questions.
  • APRO saves members money and time by offering this service—providing counsel to help keep members and the industry out of legal troubles. The settlement for an average employee lawsuit is around $40,000.

NETWORKING
Coming together with peers to share experiences is important, and APRO provides opportunities to do that.

  • APRO is a conduit for RTO peers to share ideas and learn from each other. This sense of connection also helps retain strong talent in our industry.
  • We offer and promote dedicated time and spaces for newcomers to connect and build relationships with peers. APRO provides peer meetups at our annual convention and facilitates digital communities for peer groups throughout the year. Email info@rtohq.org to join our list of industry newcomers and receive special invitations to our member events and online forum.

INDUSTRY GOODWILL
APRO fosters the industry’s goodwill through its Charitable Foundation. APRO administers fundraising efforts and manages the application, vetting, processing, and disbursement of funds.

  • Through our scholarship fund, assistance is available for the rent-to-own employees and their children to further their education.
  • Through our disaster relief fund and the generosity of our member donations, we administer financial assistance to employees of member companies in the wake of natural disasters.

So, this holiday season consider the gift of a new APRO membership or renew your existing membership to keep all these benefits coming in the new year. That’s a wrap!

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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.