Association of Progressive Rental Organizations

Mike’s Rent-To-Own Announces Key Promotions

Josh Hogg, newly appointed COO at Mike’s Rent-To-Own.

APRO member Mike Strong Inc. dba Mike’s Rent-To-Own recently announced the promotion of 22-year team member Josh Hogg to the company’s newly created role of Chief Operating Officer.

Hogg began at Kansas-based Mike’s Rent-To-Own in 2002 in customer sales. He was promptly promoted through various managerial positions, including managing the Hutchinson and Lyons, Kansas locations, as well as opening and managing the McPherson, Kansas store. In 2017, Josh became the company’s first District Manager, playing a pivotal role in driving Mike’s growth and innovation.

Hogg (front) at the Las Vegas Furniture Market with other team members: (L to R) District Manager Rickey Ninemire; Shelly Strong from Accounts Payable; Co-Owner Angela Strong-McCool; Co-Owner Michael Strong; and District Manager Mike “Junior” Schweigart.

“Josh’s tenure in our company exemplifies dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to our customers, our community, and our company,” said Angela Strong-McCool, co-owner of Mike’s Rent-To-Own. “His deep understanding of our business, combined with his strategic vision, makes him the ideal choice for this critical role.”

“Josh’s promotion is necessary for my family to achieve our goal of opening additional locations,” said Michael Strong, co-owner. “His leadership will provide the structure required for our continued growth and success.”

“As COO, Josh will continue to drive innovation, elevate customer satisfaction, and lead our company toward sustained success,” said Mike Strong, founder and co-owner. “His passion for our mission and his collaborative spirit will undoubtedly continue to propel our company to new heights”.

Mike’s also announced several other key promotions in the company, including Kirk Pierce to Lead Company Coach, Johnathan Robinson to District Manager, and Melissa Tos to Team Leader in McPherson, Kansas.

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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.