Association of Progressive Rental Organizations

Announcing the 2024 APRO Scholarship Recipients

APRO’s Charitable Foundation Scholarship annually provides scholarships to rent-to-own professionals and their families. Since 2008, APRO member and state rental dealer association contributions have resulted in 522 scholarships totaling $1,178,250 to help hundreds of students associated with the RTO industry pursue technical careers and higher education.

The Process

Since 2015, the APRO Scholarship has used a third-party, independent panel of educators to review and score our annual scholarship applications. The judges are unaffiliated with any directors of the Charitable Foundation Board of Directors, APRO staff, or scholarship applicants.

Applications are sent to the judges who then read, review, and score each applicant’s submitted materials based on the criteria outlined by the Foundation board and as reflected on the application. APRO staff and the Foundation board do not influence or determine who receives scholarships.

APRO partners with the following state rental dealer associations who generously support the scholarship foundation for students in their state:

  • Arkansas Rental Dealers Association (ARDA)
  • Colorado Rental Dealer Association (CRDA)
  • Florida Rental Dealers Association (FRDA)
  • Georgia Rental Dealers Association (GRDA)
  • Kansas Rental Dealers Association (KRDA)
  • Kentucky Rental Dealers Association (KYRDA)
  • Missouri Rental Dealers Association (MRDA)
  • North East Rental Dealers Association (NERDA)
  • Oklahoma Rental Dealers Association (OKRDA)
  • Ohio Rental Dealers Association (ORDA)
  • Tennessee Rental Dealers Association (TNRDA)

In loving memory of “Tiger” John Cleek, Sr., the Cleek family established a scholarship in his memory and it is being awarded for the third year.

2024 Scholarship Recipients

Congratulations to our 2024 Charitable Foundation Scholarship Recipients!

  • Robert M. Bennett
  • Brooklynn Black
  • Kaitlyn Black
  • Cameron Caspari
  • Craig Caspari
  • Audrey Cox
  • Alyssa Fisher
  • Emma Forthman
  • Taryn Hubbard
  • Karli G. Jacobs
  • Karsyn F. Jacobs
  • Sabrina Jones
  • Brian Kelly
  • Rachel Kelly
  • Austin Kestler
  • Autumn Kestler
  • Alyssa Levy
  • Ethan Levy
  • Semaj E. Lovelace
  • Mallory Marshall
  • Brayden McCauley
  • Anthony Metivier
  • Paul Metivier
  • Ava Milliner
  • Chandler E. Morel
  • Jillian Neeley
  • Jacquelynn Papez
  • Alexandria Pontius
  • John Rhodes
  • Leigh-Anne Rossette
  • Tess Ruehrmund
  • Audrianna M. Salyers
  • Amia Silvers
  • Lynsey R. Smith
  • Victoria Stutzke
  • Gabrielle Turner
  • Johnesha Walker
  • Dakota Windsor
  • Hailey G. Wood

Upcoming Events




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.