Association of Professional Rental Organizations (APRO)
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APRO Scholarship Star: Chloe Evans

A young brunette woman stands smiling and holding a sparkly pink decorated graduation mortarboard that reads “2026” and “I have to be successful; I like expensive things.”
APRO Scholarship recipient Chloe Evans.

Since 2008, the APRO Charitable Foundation has annually provided scholarships to rent-to-own (RTO) professionals and their families. APRO members have contributed generously to the APRO Scholarship Fund – awarding 611 scholarships totaling more than $1.3 million to date – empowering students connected with RTO to pursue college degrees, technical credentials, and successful futures.

Chloe Evans of Louisa, Kentucky, is putting her APRO scholarship – sponsored by the Kentucky Rental Dealers Association (KYRDA) – to good use at the Empower Academy Beauty School of Kentucky. As the eldest of four with two younger sisters, Chloe first discovered her talent and her passion for aesthetics at home.

“I’ve been doing my sisters’ hair, makeup, and nails for a while,” Chloe says. “I found I did a good job even without any training, and I believe building from a foundation of things you’re naturally good at and things you enjoy is the best way to succeed.”

Beauty with a Purpose

For Chloe, a career in cosmetology isn’t only about making people pretty on the outside, but also about helping others feel good about themselves from the inside out.

“It’s not just cutting hair or painting nails,” says Chloe. “It’s a way for me to help people gain confidence. I want people to come to me knowing there will be no judgment, and I will help them feel beautiful. I want to be the person who gives people a ‘wow’ factor – on their special days, like their prom or wedding, but in their everyday life, too!”

Chloe intends to graduate from Empower Academy next spring, and while she expects to spend some time gaining practical experience, she has bigger beauty dreams for the further future.

“I dream of owning my own salon someday,” Chloe says. “Even though hope is not a strategy, I hope to offer the ultimate customer experience and eventually have multiple salon locations.”

Chloe Evans (R) and her best friend (L) visit Disney World during their senior year of high school.
A young brunette woman wearing a graduation cap and gown and an older woman wearing glasses and a black sundress stand together smiling in front of a brick wall. The young woman holds red roses.
Chloe Evans (L) and her proud mother, Dee Evans (R), celebrate Chloe’s high-school graduation.
A young woman dressed up in a black evening gown and sparkly chandelier earrings and an older woman wearing glasses and a blue t-shirt lean together, smiling.
Chloe Evans (L) and her mom, Dee Evans (R), snap a selfie just before Chloe’s senior prom.

A Champion for Others

While still a high-school student, Chloe worked at a local nursing home, the Jordan Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, practicing her penchant for helping others as a dietary aide.

“I helped load deliver meal trays to the residents,” says Chloe. “And I made the thicker drinks for the folks who couldn’t drink thin liquids due to swallowing issues. I really liked the team I worked with, as well as getting to know the residents and sometimes bringing a smile to their faces.”

Additionally, Chloe has practiced Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) for about six years, winning silver and bronze medals at national competitions, and multiple golds at statewide tournaments. Chloe also volunteers with her BJJ gym, helping coach younger kids’ classes and assist coaches during competitions.

“I love doing the young girls’ hair before a tournament,” Chloe says. “It’s the perfect time to help them keep calm while also boosting their confidence. They’re some of my favorite moments.”

A Legacy of Confidence

Three young women hold hands in a circle while laughing amidst a crowd outdoors, at what seems to be a street fair.
Chloe Evans (far L) joins hands with her younger sisters, Chevy (C) and Jenna (R), at Septemberfest in their hometown of Louisa, Kentucky.
Two young women wearing all black and hair braids wrestle intensely on a bright blue gym mat.
Chloe Evans takes it to the mat during a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournament.

Chloe’s mother, Dee Evans, has worked with Countryside Rentals Inc. dba Rent-2-Own (R2O) for more than 16 years, beginning as a Sales Representative and working her way up to her current position as Store Manager in Louisa. Chloe says what RTO has done for her mom is exactly what she wants to do for others – help strengthen self-confidence.

“Before rent-to-own, my mom was seriously struggling financially and lacked self-assurance,” says Chloe. “She used to walk with her head down and had trouble looking customers in the eye. But through her job at R2O, she has not only grown her store, but also grown herself – as a person, a leader, even a public speaker. RTO has truly changed the course of my mom’s life for the better.”

Chloe’s is one of the dozens of positive stories that generous donations from the RTO community make happen each year. Click here to learn more and contribute to this invaluable industry effort.

About Countryside Rentals Inc. dba Rent-2-Own

Countryside Rentals Inc. dba Rent-2-Own is a rent-to-own company serving customers across Ohio and Kentucky. Founded in 1985, Rent-2-Own offers furniture, appliances, electronics, computers, mattresses, tires, outdoor equipment, and other household products through flexible rental-purchase agreements. Rent-2-Own has been an APRO member since 1985.

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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.