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Buddy’s Home Furnishings Celebrates 65 Years at Leadership Conference 

Buddy’s Home Furnishings franchisees, store leaders, vendor partners, corporate team members, and guests gathered in Orlando, Florida, to celebrate the company’s 65th anniversary during its 2026 Leadership Conference.

BHF Operating Company LLC dba Buddy’s Home Furnishings recently held its annual Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida, to celebrate the company’s 65th anniversary. 

About 250 Buddy’s franchisees, store leaders, vendor partners, corporate support center team members, executive leaders, new ownership group members, and special guests from across the Buddy’s rent-to-own network gathered at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando Resort to honor the company’s journey since its founding in 1961 – as well as connect with each other, share best practices, recognize successes, and align around the company’s future direction.

A Milestone to Celebrate 

Themed “Route 65: Happy Days Ahead,” the event was designed to leave every attendee feeling inspired by Buddy’s past and future, connected to the broader Buddy’s network, well-equipped for success, confident in the company’s direction, and motivated to keep improving and serving at the highest level. 

“Our 2026 Leadership Conference was especially meaningful because it allowed us to celebrate an incredible milestone – 65 years of serving customers and supporting entrepreneurs – while also focusing on the future,” said President & CEO Michael Bennett.

Paul Doize (L) and Ismail “Izzy” Taha-Alaoui (R)  of Franchisee A-Team Leasing connect with “Q” of Elements during the Vendor Show.
Andrew Hajduk (R) of Vox-Pop-Uli connects with Jerry Marshall (C) and Tim Posey (L) of KAPPA Investments LLC during the Vendor Show.
Director of Corporate Store Operations Phil Hamer and Regional Manager Matt Baker enjoy the Hot Show during Buddy’s 2026 Leadership Conference.

Leading, Learning, and Looking Ahead

Bennett opened the conference with a review of Buddy’s history and legacy. He then moderated a Fireside Chat with representatives of the company’s new ownership group – Jamey Edwards, Co-Founder, President and Operating Partner of ALT+J Holdings; Jeremy May, Founder and Managing Partner of Skyline Investors; and Jeffrey Jaeger, Co-Founder and Principal of Standard Communities – to discuss innovation, operational excellence, and company performance initiatives.

Leadership also outlined several priorities shaping Buddy’s next chapter, including investments in technology and digital tools, greater operational efficiency, expanded support for franchise owners, and continued emphasis on talent development and succession planning. The company also shared updates on strategic initiatives intended to support long-term growth through 2027 and beyond.

Guest speaker Aicha Bascaro, Founder and CEO of the American Franchise Academy, focused on leadership, accountability, growth, and the responsibility leaders share in building and protecting the Buddy’s brand.

About 40 vendor partners participated in the Buddy’s Vendor Show and Hot Show, which included interactive exhibits and demonstrations. Vendors showcased furniture, appliances, electronics, accessories, and technology solutions, giving operators and managers a chance to explore new products and upcoming merchandise offerings.

Breakout sessions tackled some of the day-to-day issues shaping store performance, including refurbishing preleased inventory to improve profitability, strengthening phone and digital sales, developing future leaders, and creating space for owners to exchange ideas during a “Meeting of the Minds” session.

(L to R) Eunice Almonte and Julie McGowan from Buddy’s Home Furnishings HR Department playing a life-sized game of Operation.
Store of the Year winner Shannon Silva (L) is joined by his wife and daughter as he walks down the red carpet.
Franchise Consultant Ronnie Crumbley is checking the pulse on profits during his Return to Revenue session.

Getting Groovy While Celebrating 65 Years

Buddy’s also leaned into the anniversary theme outside the meeting rooms. The Hot Show and 65th-anniversary celebration invited attendees to dress in 1960s style and featured themed games, artists, live music, and other activities, giving franchisees, managers, vendors, and corporate team members time to reconnect while celebrating the company’s history.

Awards were also presented to recognize outstanding performance and leadership across the Buddy’s system, including Store of the Year, Region of the Year, and Top Store Performers. 

As Buddy’s moves through the remainder of 2026 and into 2027, leadership is focused on driving same-store growth, expanding franchise development opportunities, improving operational efficiency, using technology to strengthen the customer experience, and developing the next generation of company leaders.

“What makes Buddy’s special has always been our people,” said Bennett. “Seeing franchisees, managers, vendor partners, and corporate team members come together to learn, share ideas, and celebrate success reminds me why I’m so optimistic about where we’re headed. I couldn’t be more proud of what this organization has accomplished and even more excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.” 

Michael Bennett (back L) and Phil Hamer (back R) celebrate with the company’s Corporate Store award winners: (front L to R): Omar Colon, Shannon Silvia, Tammy Quinones-Davila, Shaun Davis, and Luke Torbert.
(L) Jammy Williams answers questions during an exercise in the Sales breakout session.
Buddy’s CEO Michael Bennett (far R) recognizes the team behind Buddy’s annual Leadership Conference: (L to R) Sarah Bennett, Teresa Hill, Chris Warso, and Nina Shivley.

About Buddy’s Home Furnishings 

BHF Operating Company LLC dba Buddy’s Home Furnishings is a rent-to-own company founded in 1961 that offers furniture, appliances, electronics, and related home products through its network of franchise and corporate stores. Buddy’s Home Furnishings has been an APRO member since 1982.

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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.