Association of Progressive Rental Organizations

APRO Jennifer vs. TRIB Group Jenifer: Who’s Who?

They both work for rent-to-own industry groups, they both love it, their names sound the same, and they receive one another’s calls and emails on the reg … but there are definite differences between APRO VP of Membership Jennifer Troke and TRIB Group Operations Director Jenifer Moore – and it’s not just the number of n’s in their first names! Here’s a little guide for telling RTO’s favorite Jens apart:


  • APRO Jennifer goes by the nickname Jen (with one n, just to make it more confusing!).
  • TRIB Jenifer goes by her full name, Jenifer.


  • APRO Jen has been with APRO for three years.
  • TRIB Jenifer has been with TRIB Group for five years.


  • APRO Jen spends much of her free time fostering Pug puppies – you might hear them in the background during calls!
  • TRIB Jenifer spends her free time with family, in the garden, and traveling!


  • APRO Jen finds comfort in the greasy goodness of a cheeseburger and fries.
  • TRIB Jenifer finds comfort in the salty crunchiness of popcorn.


  • APRO Jen wants the superpower to automatically mute commercials.
  • TRIB Jenifer wants the superpower to teleport, so she can be wherever she’s needed lickety-split!


  • APRO Jen’s theme song would be Celine’ Dion’s “I Drove All Night,” because it pumps her up!
  • TRIB Jenifer’s theme song would be a custom mix of Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” with Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way.”


  • APRO Jen says the best advice she’s ever received is “Let them. Let me.” (via author Mel Robbins)
  • TRIB Jenifer says the best advice she’s ever received is “Start each day with a fresh and positive perspective.”


  • APRO Jen is taller.
  • APRO Jenifer is shorter.


  • APRO Jen cherishes the memory of stuffing backpacks for kids in need at RTO World 2024. “Our RTO family is incredibly generous,” she says.
  • TRIB Jenifer treasures the memory of a longtime member telling her every time he sees her at convention, he feels like he is visiting family – genuinely comfortable and warmly welcomed with a smile! “Receiving that kind of compliment out of the blue brought me so much joy,” she says.


Both APRO Jen & TRIB Jenifer agree that regardless of who calls or emails whom, they’ll always make sure you reach the right Jen(n)ifer for the job!

Still can’t keep your Jens straight? Catch both of them at TRIB Group’s Meeting of the Minds, February 22-24, 2025. You’ll know who’s who in no time!

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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.