Association of Professional Rental Organizations (APRO)
JOIN APRO
JOIN APRO

Scooby-Doo Fan Wins a New Ride in Aaron’s Sweepstakes

A man and a woman holding a baby smile and hold up an oversized check for $5,000 from Aaron’s to John Souders, as another man looks on smiling. Behind them is a silver minivan with a huge blue bow stuck on its hood, and a sign reading “Congratulations, John! Drive Into Summer Sweepstakes Grand Prize Winner.”
Aaron’s sweepstakes winner John Souders (C), along with his fiancée Jocelyn Pennison (L, holding one of their children), receives a $5,000 cash prize – in addition to the Toyota minivan behind them – from Aaron’s COO Steve Olsen (R). 

An Athens, Pennsylvania, man who drives for a living and volunteers with the elderly was recently named the winner of Aaron’s, LLC’s Drive Into Summer Sweepstakes. The season-long contest gave Aaron’s customers nationwide the chance to win a vehicle of their choice valued up to $42,500, plus a $5,000 cash prize. 

“We give our customers products for their homes to help them in their daily lives, and this sweepstakes just adds to it,” said Aaron’s Chief Operating Officer Steve Olsen. “It’s another way for us to give back to our customers.” 

The sweepstakes winner, selected by random drawing from more than 400,000 in-store and online entries, was 43-year-old John Souders. Souders is an engaged father of two who supports his family by driving for DoorDash. Souders’ old minivan had been experiencing mechanical problems, creating stress and financial hardship for his family. Then, as he was driving to Aaron’s Sayre, Pennsylvania, store, the minivan’s transmission failed. 

Knowing of Souders’ car troubles, Sayre store’s General Manager, Jennifer Harrington, encouraged him to take a chance and enter the sweepstakes. 

Jinkies – What a Win! 

Souders, who says this is the first time he’s ever won anything, was disbelieving when he got the call about his win – while sitting on the sofa he got from Aaron’s. But a formal celebration at the Sayre store in early September made it official, and very real. Souders gleefully received the keys to his new vehicle – a 2021 Toyota Sienna XLE Hybrid minivan with a five-year extended warranty – as his family, Aaron’s team members, and local media looked on. 

A lifelong fan of “Weird Al” Yankovic, Souders volunteers at local elder care and rehabilitation facilities, entertaining residents with his accordion and bringing music, humor, and companionship to people. He also loves – and impersonates – Scooby-Doo, and plans to turn his new minivan into a Mystery Machine lookalike to deliver smiles along with DoorDash meals. 

“I’m so happy for John,” said Souders’ fiancée, Jocelyn Pennison. “Turning a van into a Mystery Machine has always been a dream of his. He’s always been very kind and accepting of other people, and I’m glad he finally has his moment to shine.” 

“If you ever have a chance at something – whether it’s a contest, a goal, something you want to seek out in life – if you feel any apprehension, push it to the side and go for it,” Souders advised. “I believe if you give to others, life will give back to you.” 

A group of five people stand together at an Aaron’s store entrance smiling. Three of them are wearing Aaron’s lanyards and nametags.
Grand prize winner John Souders and his fiancée Jocelyn Pennison are grateful to Jennifer Harrington (C) and her team members, who urged John to enter the contest. 
A large group of people stand together in a large parking lot smiling. Behind them is a silver minivan with a huge blue bow stuck on its hood, and a sign reading “Congratulations, John! Drive Into Summer Sweepstakes Grand Prize Winner.”
Sweepstakes winner John Souders and his fiancée Jocelyn Pennison (C) are surrounded by Aaron’s team members as they receive the keys to their new minivan. 
A man wearing a bright tee and aloha shirt stands in a parking lot and animatedly talks toward a gathering of cameras and microphones. Behind him is a silver minivan and a sign reading “Congratulations, John! Drive Into Summer Sweepstakes Grand Prize Winner.”
Aaron’s grand prize winner John Souders talks to local media at the celebration of his win, held at Aaron’s Sayre store location, where Souders is a customer. 
WNEP’s Valeria Quiñones shares how Aaron’s sweepstakes winner John Souders plans to turn his new minivan into a Mystery Machine. Video courtesy of WNEP Newswatch 16.

About Aaron’s, LLC 

Aaron’s, LLC provides a direct-to-consumer lease-to-own solution through its approximately 1,200 company-operated and franchised stores in 47 states and Canada, as well as its e-commerce platform, Aarons.com. Aaron’s, LLC has been an APRO member since 2003. 

Upcoming Events

View Calendar


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.