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Value-Driven Culture Takes Center Stage at RNR’s Annual Franchise Conference

RNR team members (Left to right) Desiree Tatum, Susan Vice, and Heather Marino enjoy the conference welcome reception.

RNR Tire Express recently held its highly anticipated Annual Franchise Conference at the Renaissance Marriott in Orlando, Florida, with an impressive turnout of 375 corporate staff, franchisees, operators, managers, vendors, and guests.

Attendees were welcomed with flair during a reception that featured a DJ, caricature artist, 360 photo booth, and plenty of refreshments, setting the tone for the enthusiastic experience that awaited participants.

As part of RNR’s mission to be “The Best Tire and Wheel Concept in America,” the conference’s DX3 theme literally took center stage with presentations and discussions on RNR’s culture driven by its three core values of culture, customers, and community.

RNR Founder and CEO Larry Sutton opened the meeting with a rousing welcome address. Former Tampa Bay linebacker and NFL Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks followed, delivering a keynote address that focused on his concept of TEAM – Together Everyone Achieves More. RNR President and APRO Board Member Adam Sutton further elaborated on the DX3 theme, highlighting the importance of value-driven leadership grounded in relationships, responsibilities, and results.

(L to R) RNR President Adam Sutton, Jason Summers, A.J. Arthus, Chris Noonan, and RNR Vice President of Franchising Vince Ficarrotta celebrate JSA Tires as 2023 RNR Franchise of the Year.

Jason Summers, Owner of Texas-based JSA Tires Inc., dba RNR Tire Express – which was honored as the 2023 RNR Franchise of the Year – described the annual meeting as the highlight of his year within the RNR community

“It’s family reunion meets TED Talk,” Summers said, “the perfect blend of reconnecting with colleagues and educational insights that are truly unmatched.”

“As a new franchisee, I can’t express enough how invaluable the access to fellow franchisees, store managers, and our vendor partners is,” said first-time attendee Evan Mouhalis, Manager of Florida’s MCM Tire Express, LLC dba RNR Tire Express. “Building these relationships makes us feel like we’re on this journey together, and we’re excited to be part of a supportive community focused on sharing ideas and problem-solving. The conference was not just informative; it was a vibrant platform fostering collaboration and growth.”

Well-respected rent-to-own veteran and former APRO Board member Richard Rose was honored posthumously with the RNR Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was accepted by his family, including RNR franchisees Ronald Rose and Jonathan, who currently serves on the APRO Board of Directors.

Adam Sutton (far L) and Vince Ficarrotta (far R) honor RNR Lifetime Achievement Awardee Richard Rose, as his family – (L to R) Jonathan Rose, Olivia Rose, Emily Rose, and Ronald Rose – accepts on his behalf.

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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.