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Aaron’s WINGS Helps Build, Furnish Louisiana Homes 

Aaron’s team members from the Store Support Center and local stores help construct two homes for single moms in Lafayette, Louisiana. 

In Lafayette, Louisiana, women from Aaron’s, LLC, recently sponsored the Lafayette Habitat for Humanity Women’s Build program, helping construct and furnish homes for two single moms and their families. 

The Habitat Women’s Build is an annual initiative intended to engage and empower community members to raise funds and build affordable homes for local families. Aaron’s Women’s Initiative for Networking, Growth, and Sharing (WINGS) partnered with the Aaron’s Foundation via Aaron’s Gives to secure the company’s sponsorship of the event with the Lafayette Habitat. 

Last February, WINGS members attended the Women’s Build Kick-Off Party. In April, two Aaron’s Store Support Center team members – Darienne Urrea and DeShanta Cox – went to Lafayette for a hands-on build day, where they worked alongside Regional Manager Eric Hoffman and local Aaron’s store employees. 

Supporting Families, Strengthening Communities 

The two homes were constructed for local mothers Kearston Hawkins and Patqueline Roy and their respective families. On July 1, 2026, Urrea, Hoffman, Store General Manager Andrea Melancon, and other Aaron’s team members joined the Lafayette Habitat staff, volunteers, and supporters to dedicate the homes. Aaron’s also donated a queen bedroom set – bed, dresser, nightstand, and mirror – to Hawkins, and a new washer/dryer set to Roy, to help their new houses feel like homes. 

“WINGS’ mission is to empower and uplift women through diversity, professional development, and community engagement,” said WINGS Co-Lead Urrea. “So the opportunity to sponsor a program that builds homes for women community members was a natural extension of that mission.” 

Two women wearing pink tees and sunglasses smile and point toward a large sign that reads ‘Habitat for Humanity – Women’s Build – Future Home Site’ followed by a list of ‘presented by’ companies, including Aaron’s as the ‘Raise the Roof Sponsor.’
Aaron’s Store Support Center team members Darienne Urrea (L) and DeShanta Cox (R) volunteered during a Lafayette Habitat for Humanity build last spring.
A man and woman wearing navy blue polo shirts with Aaron’s logos stand on either side of a third woman, all smiling.
Habitat home recipient Kearston Hawkins (C) shows her appreciation to Aaron’s Store General Manager Andrea Melancon (L) and Regional Manager Eric Hoffman (R). 
A casually dressed woman smiles broadly as she walks through an open door, holding a gift bag that reads ‘Best Day Ever.’
Lafayette, Louisiana mother Patqueline Roy walks through the front door of her new Habitat for Humanity home, partially built and furnished by Aaron’s, LLC.

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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.