Association of Progressive Rental Organizations

APRO PAC: Advocating for the Future of Rent-to-Own

Public policy plays a crucial role in shaping the rent-to-own (RTO) industry. Legislative and regulatory decisions made at both the federal and state levels have direct impacts on RTO businesses, employees, and the customers they serve. Ensuring that lawmakers understand the industry’s contributions, the uniqueness of the RTO transaction, and our stories is essential to fostering a fair legislative and regulatory environment for now and the future.

That’s where the APRO Political Action Committee (PAC) comes in. The APRO PAC serves as an important tool for strengthening the industry’s voice in legislative discussions. It helps ensure that policymakers are informed about the role RTO businesses play in communities across the country – providing access to essential household goods, creating jobs, and supporting local economies. Through education and engagement, the APRO PAC facilitates relationships with lawmakers who recognize the importance of maintaining a regulatory framework that allows the industry to thrive.

Over the years, the APRO PAC has played a crucial role in facilitating important discussions on key legislative and regulatory issues, including policies affecting the RTO transaction, consumer protections, and small business growth. By engaging with legislators and industry stakeholders, the APRO PAC works to create an environment where businesses can continue to serve their customers effectively and responsibly.

The APRO PAC is bipartisan and focuses on the federal level, particularly members of the House Financial Services and Senate Banking Committees. One of APRO PAC’s essential functions is providing opportunities for industry leaders to meet with policymakers and share firsthand insights about the impact of proposed laws and regulations. These conversations help ensure that legislators understand how their decisions affect RTO businesses and the communities they serve. By building these relationships, the industry remains an active participant in the policymaking process.

APRO members engage directly in the political process beyond just the APRO PAC and Capitol Hill. Several state rental dealer associations have their own PACs aimed at reaching state legislatures where many key policy decisions are made. State lawmakers play a significant role in shaping regulations that affect day-to-day business operations, making it critical for the RTO industry to maintain a presence at both the federal and state levels. Likewise, many APRO members donate directly to legislative candidates in their states and districts.

For APRO members, staying informed about legislative and regulatory developments and being involved in our political process is an essential part of protecting the future of the industry. By engaging in advocacy efforts, participating in legislative events, and keeping up with APRO PAC’s work, members can help ensure that the industry remains well-represented in policy discussions.


As part of our new E3 Strategic Plan, APRO is actively enhancing our advocacy programs and processes. In addition to the role of the APRO PAC, we are working to assess the full impact of the RTO industry’s involvement in campaign contributions and relationships with federal and state legislators. To help us with this project, we invite you to complete this simple survey about your contributions and connections.


If you are an owner and want to learn more about APRO PAC and its role in supporting the industry, login to the website using your APRO credentials to access the APRO PAC Plan.

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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.