Association of Progressive Rental Organizations

RNR Earns Community Impact Award

RNR Tire Express recently won a 2025 Culture of Good Community Impact Award for the company’s contributions to the communities it serves and overall corporate responsibility. Culture of Good, Inc., is an organization dedicated to inspiring businesses to make a positive difference in the world.

“This award reflects the heartbeat of RNR Tire Express,” said CEO Adam Sutton. “Our culture is driven by one simple belief – to serve, not just provide service. That belief fuels everything we do, from the way we interact with our customers to the initiatives we champion in the communities we call home.”

RNR was selected for the award because of the company’s broad and sustained focus on human rights and social justice, animal welfare, community development, and disaster relief efforts. Examples of RNR’s signature programs include:

  • Serve Day – a companywide initiative that has led to the construction of food pantries in underserved neighborhoods and the distribution of care packages to the unhoused in all 30 states with RNR locations;
  • Back-to-School Giveaway – a nationwide program to provide more than 10,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to needy students, helping them thrive academically and easing financial burdens for their families;
  • National Rescue Dog Day – a partnership launched in 2023 with local animal shelters to promote pet adoption;
  • Hurricane and Flood Relief – a partnership with the No More Foundation to provide essential resources and coordinate cleanup initiatives after Hurricanes Helene and Milton; and
  • Annual Giveaways for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Overall, RNR Tire Express contributes over $1.5 million annually to philanthropic endeavors, creating measurable and enduring positive change in the lives of thousands.

“This recognition is especially meaningful because it highlights the important impact of the everyday actions of our team members,” said Sutton. “They are the heart and soul of our outreach efforts, and the most important part of a culture where service is not just celebrated – it’s who we are.”

“We’re proud to recognize companies like RNR Tire Express,” said Culture of Good CEO Ryan McCarty. “These awards are more than an event; they’re a movement toward honoring businesses that integrate social good into their core.”

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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.