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Rent One DT Rodeo Goes Virtual

Rent One DTs competed in online quests during this year’s virtual DT Rodeo.

APRO member SKC Enterprises Inc. dba Rent One once again held its annual Delivery Technician (DT) Rodeo recently – but this time, with a virtual twist. For the first time, the company transitioned the event to a virtual format, as 177 delivery techs from across eight states competed in a five-week showdown.

During the month of September, rodeo participants showcased their skills and knowledge in the areas of driver safety, deliveries, returns, and service calls. Rent One DTs performed weekly online quests testing their expertise and daily tasks requiring creative photos for proof of completion. Additionally, competitors had a DT Rodeo Bingo Card with activities not typically part of their day-to-day work, and the company’s 13 regions competed in a Family-Feud-type contest. DTs also connected and collaborated via a dedicated group on WhatsApp. The more challenges they achieved, the more points they earned, and on October 1st, regional winners were announced.

Buzz Lightyear Award winner Seth Potsick keeps it clean during the event.

The following Monday launched DT Rodeo Finals Week, a blend of virtual games and in-store activities designed to test delivery skills and foster a sense of community among team members. Every day a new virtual game was introduced, including an in-store scavenger hunt, product-knowledge and safety trivia quizzes, and a delivery Olympics. Every contestant got multiple chances throughout the week to spin a prize wheel, and earned an extra 50 points for each streaming box sold during home visits.

The real game-changer was another bonus-point opportunity – 50 extra points for each referral secured. Brandon Bailey of Dexter, Missouri, and Tim Bierman of Centralia, Illinois, made the most of this offering, collecting an incredible 1,022 referrals in just four days! The pair’s impressive performance made them the 2024 DT Rodeo Winners – Bierman of Division I and Bailey of Division II.

Rent One DT Trevor Coleman won the Iron Man Award for resilience and hard work.

Other exceptional contributions during the rodeo won other Rent One DTs some special awards:

  • Buzz Lightyear Award for creativity and innovation – Seth Potsick, Decatur, Illinois
  • Culture Champion Award for embodying company values – Derek Smith, Murray, Kentucky
  • Iron Man Award for resilience and hard work – Trevor Coleman, Muskogee, Oklahoma
  • Little Miss Sunshine Award for positivity – Sara Jones, Trumann, Arkansas
  • Most Likely to Become a Millionaire Award – Brandon Bailey & Tim Bierman
  • Trendsetter Award for forward thinking – Billy Crane, Bellville, Illinois

All finalists also received a 25-cent/hour pay raise and a regional trophy, while Bailey and Bierman got 50-cent/hour increases and bragging rights until next year!

“The 2024 DT Rodeo Finals was more than just a competition,” said Angie Brubaker, Rent One’s Director of Training. “It was also a celebration of our dedication, team spirit, and commitment to excellence.”

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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.