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Buddy’s Packs Meals to Honor 9/11 Anniversary 

A group of people wearing matching blue Buddy’s Cares tees smile with a sign behind that reads “9/11 Day – Thanks to our Many Friends.”
Buddy’s team members gathered in Orlando, Florida, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11 through remembrance and service. 

APRO member BHF Operating Company, LLC dba Buddy’s Home Furnishings recently honored the National Day of Service and Remembrance by proudly participating in a 9/11 Meal Pack in Orlando, Florida. 

Buddy’s team members joined volunteers from throughout the community to help package about 1,000 meals for neighbors facing food insecurity, reflecting the company’s commitment to living the values that define Buddy’s. 

“Today was a meaningful reminder that some of the most powerful ways we can honor the legacy of September 11th are through service, unity, and compassion,” said Buddy’s Vice President of Operational Support Teresa Hill. “I’m incredibly proud of our Buddy’s Home Furnishings team for this special effort. It really reflects the heart of our organization and our commitment to making a positive impact in the communities we serve.” 

Buddy’s team members take a moment together during the 9/11 Meal Pack, where volunteers prepared meals for local families in need.
Dozens of Buddy’s workers pack meals for their neighbors in need in Orlando, Florida. 
Buddy’s team members roll up their sleeves to help pack meals during the 9/11 Meal Pack in Orlando.

Turning Tragedy into Service 

In addition to Hill, Buddy’s CEO Michael Bennett, Director of Operations Phil Hamer, VP of Purchasing Nina Shively, Regional Manager Matt Baker, and Franchisee Felipe Pena-Diaz all participated in the Orlando event. General Managers Justin Austin, Raphael Barreto, Shaun Davis, Maria Garcia, and Vanessa Hernandez also rallied to volunteer. 

“It was a powerful reminder that serving others is one of the most meaningful ways we can honor the lives lost, the heroes who stepped forward, and the resilience that united our nation,” added Hamer. “I am proud to see our team come together and give back in such a meaningful and tangible way.”

The 9/11 Meal Pack is a massive nationwide charitable event held annually to commemorate the victims, survivors, and first responders of the 2001 terrorist attacks. This year, honoring the 25th anniversary of the national tragedy, tens of thousands of volunteers gathered across dozens of U.S. cities to pack millions of meals in just one day. 

Buddy’s Home Furnishings team members pause for a quick photo while working the meal-packing line in Orlando.
Volunteers helped pack 20 million meals nationwide as part of the 9/11 Day of Service.
Buddy’s CEO Michael Bennett (R) joins a UNITE for Good volunteer during the 9/11 Meal Pack in Orlando.

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.