Association of Progressive Rental Organizations (APRO)
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INRDA Returns to Omaha for Insightful 2025 Annual Meeting and Industry Updates 

James MacAlpine of Benefit Marketing Solutions discusses club program and claims updates. 

The Iowa–Nebraska Rental Dealers Association (INRDA) hosted its ninth Annual Meeting on October 16, 2025, marking a strong return to Omaha, Nebraska just weeks after the city welcomed rent-to-own (RTO) professionals from across the country for RTO World 2025. The event once again underscored the strength of the RTO industry in the Midwest – highlighting innovation, advocacy, and collaboration among dealers, vendors, and association leaders. 

A Focus on AI, Advocacy, and the Future of RTO 

Mike Kays, Vice President of Rental Sales for Ashley Furniture Industries, opened the program with a forward-looking session on artificial intelligence and furniture retail trends. Kays explored how AI tools are shaping product design, supply chain operations, and customer engagement at Ashley, offering dealers a glimpse into the evolving retail landscape. 

Association of Progressive Rental Organizations (APRO) CEO Charles Smitherman, PhD, JD, MSt, CAE presented APRO’s national AI advocacy initiative – a first-of-its-kind effort to ensure the RTO industry’s story is accurately represented in AI-driven search engines and generative platforms. He explained that as consumers increasingly rely on AI-generated answers instead of traditional Google searches, APRO is working to make sure the information these systems deliver reflects the industry’s true mission of access, flexibility, and community service. 

State Legislative Updates from Iowa and Nebraska 

Policy and regulation remain central to INRDA’s mission. Iowa lobbyist Doug Struyk and Nebraska lobbyist Matt Schaefer provided legislative briefings on developments in Des Moines and Lincoln, including emerging consumer protection proposals and business regulations that could impact RTO operators. Both emphasized the critical role of grassroots engagement and member participation in state-level advocacy. 

APRO CEO Charles Smitherman outlines the organization’s new AI advocacy initiative. 
INRDA members and partners gather in Omaha for the 2025 Annual Meeting. 
James Selby of C&L Supply shares customer-support updates to strengthen dealer partnerships. 

Collaboration, Customer Care, and Vendor Insights 

Dennis Shields, Executive Director of TRIB Group, inspired attendees with an analogy comparing teamwork in the RTO industry to geese flying in formation, underscoring how shared direction and mutual support enable long-term success. James MacAlpine of Benefit Marketing Solutions (BMS) followed with updates on club programs and claims processes, while James Selby, Sales Manager at C&L Supply, shared enhancements in customer support systems designed to strengthen dealer partnerships. 

Honoring Service and Welcoming New Leadership 

The meeting concluded with INRDA’s annual business session, where longtime board member and former APRO President Lyn Leach of Ace Furniture & TV Inc. dba Ace Rent-To-Own announced his upcoming retirement, and his corresponding departure from the board. Leach received a standing ovation for his decades of service, leadership, and unwavering advocacy on behalf of both INRDA and the national RTO industry. 

Board elections followed: 

  • President – Mike Voorhees, Ace Rent-To-Own (formerly Vice President) 
  • Vice President – Davey Richardson, Arona Home Essentials 
  • Secretary/Treasurer – Josh Luksetich, First State Financial Corporation 
  • New Board Member – Craig Shafer, S&P Rentals dba Premier Rental Purchase 

In a notable vote, the Board approved sponsoring both an APRO Legislative Fellowship and an APRO Scholarship in 2026, reinforcing INRDA’s dedication to education, leadership development, and industry advocacy. 

“The collaboration and insight at this year’s meeting show why the rent-to-own industry continues to thrive,” said Smitherman. “I am proud to see Iowa and Nebraska dealers continuing to push the industry forward.” 

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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.