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Meeting of the Minds Makes Face-to-Face Comeback

Benefit Marketing Solutions gives out registration information to Golf Outing participants in preparation to start their games.

Meeting of the Minds – an annual industry event hosted by APRO member TRIB Group – recently returned in Dallas, Texas following a pandemic-induced postponement. Participants enjoyed two-plus days of golf, a Hot Show, a trade show, armadillo races, a casino night, giving back, and each other’s in-person company.

Early birds kicked off the event with a shotgun start at a golf outing sponsored by Benefit Marketing Solutions. Four-player teams got a scenic Dallas skyline photo-op at hole 16 and purchased $1,500 worth of mulligans at hole 8, with proceeds benefitting the APRO Charitable Foundation.

Later on in the day, the official Welcome Reception was held in the courtyard of the Hilton Anatole Hotel with refreshments, a live band, some fun mini-game booths, and yes, armadillo racing.

McClure reminds folks of the legislative challenges the industry is facing.

The TRIB Membership Meeting launched the first full day of the event, followed by an informative presentation by APRO Chief Executive Officer Jill McClure. Panel discussions for the rest of the day included sessions on employee-retention and product-mix strategies, supply-chain trends and predictions, today’s hiring technology and best practices, leading-edge marketing, and finance and benchmarking.

Day One wrapped up with Experience breakout sessions and the Meeting of the Minds annual photo, then attendees were shuttled to Texas LIVE in Arlington for the Hot Show. Auctioneered by ACE Rent-To-Own President Lyn Leach, the show featured specials showcased in real-time up on a wall of screens. Meanwhile, some relative industry newcomers got together at the Miller Tavern for a lively Emerging Professionals Networking Social, sponsored by APRO.

Kelly Martin (left) moderates a panel on front-end hiring with a set of first-time panelists.

Day Two began with presentations from APRO members High Touch Technologies, Ideal Software Systems Inc., and Cost Plus Advisors LLC, followed by breakout sessions divided by owners, buyers, and managers, and a second round of special topic sessions. The event’s finale kicked off with the opening of the exhibit hall and a Casino Night, sponsored by PTS Financial and Benefit Services. The evening’s proceeds – over $30,000 total – went to support America’s homeless veterans.

“We might have lost a year in-person, but this Meeting of the Minds didn’t lose a beat,” concluded TRIB Executive Director Dennis Shields. “It was as successful as ever, and well worth the wait!”

To see the album from the event, click here.

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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.