Association of Progressive Rental Organizations

APRO Advocacy Month in Full Swing

April is APRO Advocacy Awareness Month

Welcome to week three of APRO Advocacy Awareness Month! As we delve deeper into our advocacy initiatives, we shine a spotlight on two essential pillars: State Rental Dealer Association (RDA) Coordination and Storytelling. These initiatives are integral to our advocacy strategy, amplifying our voice and showcasing the positive impact of the rent-to-own industry.

State RDA Coordination

Our coordination efforts with State Rental Dealer Associations are crucial in fostering strong relationships with legislators at the state level. These associations play a pivotal role in influencing RTO statutes and monitoring legislative proposals that directly affect our industry.

By collaborating with State RDAs, we ensure that our advocacy efforts are well-coordinated, impactful, and responsive to state-level legislative developments. APRO actively supports State RDAs by fostering communication, and providing services such as bookkeeping, state president meetups, legal advice, and assistance with planning and promoting state association meetings – just to name a few. APRO even offers assistance in starting new associations when needed!

Storytelling

Storytelling is a powerful tool in advocacy, allowing us to share the compelling narratives of our industry and members. As the official voice of rent-to-own, we highlight the positive contributions of RTO in local communities and the broader economy. Members showcase their latest triumphs, community projects, company milestones, and innovative developments, demonstrating the tangible benefits of RTO to legislators and policymakers.

APRO shares these stories on our website; in our weekly e-newsletter, APRO Today; and in our award-winning magazine. In addition, these stories are shared with key legislators during our annual Legislative Conference. This strategic approach ensures that our stories reach a diverse audience, amplifying the impact of our advocacy efforts and showcasing the value of the RTO industry.

Your engagement and support are instrumental in our advocacy journey. By being a member of APRO, you contribute to shaping policies that protect and advance the interests of the RTO industry. Together, we amplify our voice, build strategic alliances, and advocate for a vibrant and resilient RTO community.

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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.