Association of Professional Rental Organizations (APRO)
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APRO Announces 2026-2027 Board of Directors

APRO’s 2026-2027 Board of Directors at RTO World 2026. (Not pictured: Andrew Hajduk and Christopher Pfirrman.)

The Association of Professional Rental Organizations (APRO) welcomes its 2026–2027 Board of Directors, bringing together newly elected members and returning industry leaders to guide the association through another year of advocacy, education, and service to the rent-to-own (RTO) industry. Leading the board is Trent Agin of Rent One, who assumes the role of APRO President.

The new board was announced during RTO World 2026, held August 24–27 in West Palm Beach, Florida, and includes representatives from independent rental dealers, national companies, franchisors, and industry vendors.

New Faces Join Experienced Leadership

Three industry professionals join the board for the 2026–2027 term:

  • Andrew Hajduk, Vox-Pop-Uli (Vendor Advisory Committee Liaison)
  • Phillip Holt, Snap Finance
  • Christopher Pfirrman, Upbound Group
  • Lauren Talicska, Arona Home Essentials

They join six returning directors reelected to serve another two-year term:

  • Trent Agin of Rent One
  • Jerry Marshall of Buddy’s Home Furnishings
  • Travis Robbins of Progressive Holdings
  • Jeff Smith of Hometown Rent To Own
  • Shannon Strunk of RNR Tire Express
  • Adam Sutton of RNR Tire Express.

Eight additional board members continue their service in the second year of their existing terms:

  • Dennis Adams of American Rental Home Furnishings
  • Michael Bennett of Buddy’s Home Furnishings
  • John Cleek Jr. of Cleek’s Home Furnishings/Rental & Sales
  • Dan Fisher of Majik Rent-To-Own
  • Chad Fosdick of Premier Rental-Purchase
  • James MacAlpine of Benefit Marketing Solutions (Vendor Advisory Committee Liaison)
  • Michael Strong of Mike’s Rent-To-Own
  • Michael Wall of Aaron’s
  • Todd Wilkins of Aaron’s

APRO’s Board of Directors operates on staggered two-year terms, with eight of its 16 dealer and corporate director seats up for election annually. This structure helps maintain continuity in the association’s leadership while creating opportunities for new perspectives and ideas.

Vendor Advisory Committee Representation

In addition to its elected directors, APRO’s Board includes two representatives selected by the Vendor Advisory Committee (VAC) to ensure the industry’s vendor community has a voice in association leadership.

  • Andrew Hajduk of Vox-Pop-Uli joins the board as a new VAC liaison
  • James MacAlpine of Benefit Marketing Solutions continues his service for the second year

Trent Agin Takes the Helm as APRO President

Agin succeeds Dan Fisher of Majik Rent-To-Own, who served as APRO President during 2025–2026 and now transitions to the role of Immediate Past President.

A longtime RTO industry leader who began his career in 1988, Agin has served APRO in numerous leadership capacities, including most recently as Treasurer. His experience within the association and the broader rent-to-own community positions him to help advance APRO’s priorities and strengthen its support for members nationwide.

The 2026–2027 APRO Executive Committee includes:

  • President: Trent Agin, Rent One
  • 1st Vice President: Jerry Marshall, Buddy’s Home Furnishings
  • 2nd Vice President: Michael Strong, Mike’s Rent-To-Own
  • Secretary: Chad Fosdick, Premier Rental-Purchase
  • Treasurer: Jeff Smith, Hometown Rent To Own
  • Immediate Past President: Dan Fisher, Majik Rent-To-Own (Ex Officio)

With Smith moving into the Treasurer position and Fisher continuing as Immediate Past President, the Executive Committee combines experienced leadership with a renewed focus on the association’s future.

Working Together for the Future of RTO

APRO’s Board of Directors plays an important role in shaping the association’s strategic direction, supporting legislative advocacy, advancing industry education, and identifying opportunities to strengthen the rent-to-own business community.

As the 2026–2027 board begins its term, APRO extends its appreciation to all newly elected, reelected, and continuing directors for their willingness to serve. The association also thanks its outgoing directors for their time, dedication, and contributions to APRO and the RTO industry.

Meet APRO’s Board of Directors and learn more about the leaders helping guide the association 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.