Association of Progressive Rental Organizations

APRO Virtual Legislative Conference Provides Important Info, Insights

APRO held its first Virtual Legislative Conference on April 28, 2021, following a year off due to the pandemic. As the rent-to-own industry’s protection becomes increasingly important under a new Presidential administration, building and maintaining political relationships has become increasingly difficult because of the COVID-19 crisis. The 2021 APRO Virtual Legislative Conference offered more than 100 attendees information, insight, and support as RTO navigates this new political landscape.

State Presidents met to discuss strategies and how best to manage operations as volunteer leaders.

Following a productive morning meeting with State Association Presidents, the afternoon Legislative Conference sessions kicked off with Legislative and Legal Updates from Brian Farrington, Shareholder at Cowles & Thompson, and Ed Winn III, APRO General Counsel. Farrington covered employment topics of interest for rent-to-own businesses, including wage-and-hour issues, employment relationship issues, and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issues.

Ed Winn III presents the recent legislation from different states during the Legislative and Legal Update session.

Winn gave a typically entertaining and educational presentation on the state of federal policy, as well as current and recent investigations, legislation, and regulations at the state level. He also reminded APRO members about why staying involved in the political world is essential to the wellbeing of their businesses.

“It’s so very important that we tell friend and foe alike the RTO story,” asserted Winn. “As you are aware today, the narrative is everything. RTO has a story to be told. There are two sides to that story; legal aid lawyers are telling their side of that story, and we need to be telling our side of the story. That’s why we go to D.C.”

Shareholders at Greenberg Traurig LLP Demetrius McDaniel (left) and Robbie Kamerschen (right), with APRO Executive Director Jill McClure (bottom).

During Challenges in a New Administration, Shareholders at Greenberg Traurig LLP Robbie Kamerschen and Demetrius McDaniel provided an overview on the state of play in Washington, D.C., including President Biden’s plan for small business and his tax agenda, the Federal Trade Commission’s and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s probable priorities moving forward, and other federal issues and programs important to rent-to-own companies and their customers – such as minimum wage, corporate and personal tax rates, supplemental federal unemployment insurance, and infrastructure spending.

Lobbyist Panel Speakers: Corinne Mixon (left), Mike Houlihan (right), and P.J. Cimini (bottom).

Finally, before splitting into State Association breakout groups, participants enjoyed the State Issues Lobbyist Panel, featuring P.J. Cimini, Founder and Principal at Capitol Strategies Group LLC in Connecticut, Mike Houlihan, Founder of Drexwood Partners LLC in Illinois, and Corinne Mixon, Senior Director of Government Relations at Rutledge Ecenia, PA in Florida. The panel covered a broad spectrum of legislative topics, including Zoom calls with lawmakers, regulatory investigative powers, COVID-19 liabilities, and why building strong relationships with customers is critical to state lobbying efforts.

The 2021 APRO Virtual Legislative Conference was sponsored by TRIB Group, Ashley Furniture Industries, Benefit Marketing Solutions, Nationwide RentDirect, Nationwide Southwest, Audit Advantage, O’Rourke Sales Company, PTS Direct Benefits, Rivero, Gordier & Company PA, Slumba LLC, and Whitsell and Company, PC.

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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.