Association of Progressive Rental Organizations (APRO)

Cleek’s Donates TVs for Community Group’s New Building 

Representatives of Cleek’s Home Furnishings and United Community Builders with the TVs Cleek’s helped secure for the nonprofit’s new building: (L to R) UCB Development Director Rochara Knight, UCB Board President Apostle Russell Freeman, Cleek’s Owner John Cleek, Jr., UCB Executive Director Damian Dean, Cleek’s General Manager Darryl Darling, and UCB Operations Director Tim Rich.

Missouri-based Cleek’s Home Furnishings/Rentals & Sales recently helped local nonprofit organization United Community Builders (UCB) with several donated televisions and a deep discount on several more for UCB’s new building. 

Cleek’s involvement with UCB began months ago with a presentation by its Executive Director, Damian Dean, at a Rotary Club meeting attended by Cleek’s Owner John Cleek, Jr

“I found Damian’s talk very intriguing as it concerned improving the quality of life for kids and adults,” Cleek said. “UCB is located in an area of Columbia, Missouri, where we serve a large customer base. Some of these kids will likely grow up to be customers or even team members of Cleek’s. I really like Damian’s positive approach to working with them and helping them live better lives.” 

UCB’s vision is a united community, working together to help low-income, at-risk, and minority children and families rise above poverty and become self-sufficient. The organization recently completed construction of a brand-new building, which hosts afterschool programs for youngsters, as well as skill-building courses for adults. 

UCB Executive Director Damian Dean (far L) and Development Director Rochara Knight (far R) gives Cleek’s Owner John Cleek, Jr. (second from L), and General Manager Darryl Darling (second from R) a tour of UCB’s new facility. 

Cleek’s donated five new TVs for the facility, and provided four more at a greatly reduced price for the nonprofit. 

“I’ve long admired John Cleek and his dedication to our mid-Missouri community,” said Dean. “What truly excites me is how deeply he believes in UCB’s mission to uplift Northeast Columbia, one family at a time. This technology donation will help us continue to inspire and educate youth and their families to achieve in life.”

Upcoming Events



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.