Association of Professional Rental Organizations (APRO)
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Giving Back with Purpose: How the APRO Charitable Foundation Supports Members and Communities 

At its core, APRO has always been about people – supporting members, strengthening businesses, and building a community that shows up when it matters most. The APRO Charitable Foundation is a natural extension of that mission, providing meaningful support in times of need and investing in the future of the rent-to-own industry. 

Through two key initiatives – educational scholarships and disaster relief funding – the Foundation delivers real impact where it counts. 

Investing in the Next Generation: Educational Scholarships 

One of the Foundation’s most powerful contributions is its commitment to education. Each year, scholarships are awarded to students connected to APRO member companies, helping ease the financial burden of pursuing higher education or trade school. 

These scholarships aren’t just about tuition – they’re about opportunity. 

By supporting students as they pursue college degrees, technical training, or other educational paths, the Foundation is helping to: 

  • Open doors that might otherwise remain closed  
  • Encourage professional growth and development  
  • Strengthen the future workforce of the rent-to-own industry 

For many recipients, this support is a turning point – allowing them to focus more on their studies and less on financial stress. And for APRO members, it’s a meaningful way to invest in the families and communities that support their businesses every day. 

Showing Up When It Matters Most: Disaster Relief Funds 

When disaster strikes – whether it’s hurricanes, floods, wildfires, or other unexpected events – the APRO Charitable Foundation steps in to help. 

The disaster relief program provides financial assistance to APRO members and their employees who are impacted by these events. In moments when normal life is disrupted, this support can make a critical difference. 

Funds can help cover: 

  • Immediate essentials like food, clothing, and temporary housing  
  • Recovery expenses as individuals begin to rebuild  
  • Gaps not covered by insurance or other aid programs  

More than just financial assistance, this program represents something deeper: a community that takes care of its own. 

Flyer with information about the APRO Charitable Foundation.
Help your employees discover scholarships and disaster-relief support available to them and their families when it counts most.

New Resource for Member Employees 

To ensure all APRO member company rent-to-own employees are aware of these benefits starting on day one, APRO developed a one-page flyer that can be inserted into orientation materials, hung in break rooms, and shared throughout your organization as you see fit. Download the APRO Charitable Foundation Flyer here.

The goal is simple – spread the word and maximize engagement and use of these programs that reflect the spirit of the industry it serves – resilient, generous, and deeply connected. Whether it’s helping a student take the next step in their education or supporting a family after a disaster, the Foundation’s work is rooted in compassion and action. 

A special thanks to Ray Muncy of TryBudCo, LLC dba Buddy’s Home Furnishings, for his excellent suggestion of sharing more information about this critical resource with all RTO employees!

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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.