Association of Progressive Rental Organizations

TRIB Group Sets Sail to Alaska

More than 130 members of the RTO community recently got the opportunity to experience the wild and wonders of America’s “Land of the Midnight Sun” as part of the 2024 TRIB Group Retreat. The Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas carried retreat participants on a seven-day cruise, journeying from Seattle, Washington, to Juneau, Skagway, and Sitka, Alaska, as well as a stop in Victoria, Canada.

Alaska’s natural glory was on full display with incredible views of snowcapped mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls along coastal waters and fjords. Attendees enjoyed some wonderful wildlife encounters, including whale watching, bald-eagle spotting, dogsled riding, salmon fishing, and several sightings of Alaskan brown and black bears.

Following an opening night reception sponsored by Benefit Marketing Solutions,the distribution of special commemorative jackets sponsored by Whirlpool Corporation, and a day at sea, many participants found their way to Juneau’s Red Dog Saloon to sample its world-famous Duck Fart (a concoction of coffee liqueur, Irish cream, and Canadian whiskey). Members were also treated to a dealer lunch on board at Jamie’s Italian restaurant, followed by a competitive ship-wide scavenger hunt.

This year’s TRIB Retreat continues a tradition of networking trips organized by the TRIB Group and supported by members of the RTO industry bringing together dealers and vendors in fun and exciting locations outside of the traditional meeting or trade show floor.

“RTO is a relationship business,” said TRIB Group Executive Director Dennis Shields. “These retreats provide a great and important way for members and dealers to spend time together, and develop the lifelong friendships and connections that are the true backbone of this industry.”

Following this year’s Alaskan expedition, the annual gathering will return to the beaches of the Caribbean next year with the 2025 TRIB Retreat scheduled for May 3-8, 2025, in St. Lucia. For additional information regarding next year’s retreat, please contact the TRIB Group.

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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.