Association of Progressive Rental Organizations

RAC Winter Meeting: Hundreds of Awards, Thousands of Donations, Endless Connections

CEO Mitch Fadel speaks out to franchisees to push forward towards innovation in their businesses.

APRO member Rent-A-Center held its annual RACFI [Rent-A-Center Franchising International] Winter Meeting on February 2-4 at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas. The event’s theme, “The Digital Pathway,” was reflected throughout the week’s full agenda – from a stunning awards reception and forward-focused education sessions, to a robust supplier show and a message to help RAC franchisees move forward with clarity into 2022.

“If we continue to innovate, our opportunities are endless,” said Rent-A-Center CEO Mitch Fadel. “That’s the biggest takeaway for our franchisees who attended.”

On the first day of the three-day event, the RACFI Awards Reception set the tone for the meeting by honoring franchisees’ spirits of competition and entrepreneurship. The multi-brand franchise recognized more than 500 stores, employees, and owners for their excellence over the past year and their continuing hard work through the pandemic. The Top Franchisee of the Year award, known as the Eagle Award, is based on revenue, growth, and community impact, and was awarded to APRO member The Raintree Group.

The Raintree Group was ecstatic to accept the honor of the Eagle Award — presented to the top franchisee each year.
Vice President of Franchising Michael Landry recaps the past five-year successes for the RACFI brands.

Day 2 kicked off with a General Session, which featured members of RAC’s leadership team providing an overview of the state of the business since the new year. Vice President of Franchising Michael Landry informed attendees that the RACFI brands could be found in 465 locations by the close of 2021, and that franchisees received more tools than ever before to support their stores, particularly during the pandemic. Landry also outlined the phenomenal growth the RACFI brands have experienced over the past five years, and thanked recent retirees for their service in the RTO industry.

Dave Feldner (right) dives into the camping experience at KAA, and Lissie Hickman (left) recaps her experience as a KAA camper.

Next, Fadel spoke about the importance of attracting and retaining the right store staff, as well as how customer behaviors have changed during the pandemic. He noted that customers are expressing a need to do business, rather than a more passive want, which is why RACFI brands must stay proactive in fulfilling their customers’ needs.

Company “housekeeping” information followed, then a very relevant legal update. Kids Across America (KAA) Chief Development Officer Dave Feldner and Development Manager Lissie Hickman shared a video explaining the Christian sports camp for urban children and RAC’s partnership. Franchisees made donations during the event’s supplier show totaling $25,000, which RAC matched, doubling the funds raised to $50,000 – which will sponsor 85 children to go to KAA camp this year.

“Kids Across America is truly grateful for our continuing partnership and support,” Feldner said. “Since the early ‘90s, KAA has been blessed by RAC franchisees, RAC corporate, and a many RAC suppliers and vendors. We look forward to many more years of offering kids from under-resourced communities nationwide an opportunity to experience a life-changing week at camp.”

APRO Executive Director Jill McClure emphasizes the importance of RAC and APRO’s partnership to the industry.

APRO Executive Director Jill McClure closed the General Session with updates to activity across the rent-to-own industry. McClure highlighted the importance of strengthening the RTO business by joining APRO the only national trade association for RTO companies, who safeguards the industry against harmful legislation at a state and federal level.  

McClure spoke directly to APRO member franchises in the audience, “We appreciate your commitment to not just collaborating with us on protecting your own business, but also supporting the collective work we do for the RTO industry. Our partnership is critical for our shared success and to continue meeting the needs of our customers.”

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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.