Association of Professional Rental Organizations (APRO)

Meet Your Board: Trent Agin

Portrait of a smiling man wearing a light-colored collared shirt.
APRO Board President Trent Agin, President of SKC Enterprises Inc. dba Rent One.

Trent Agin is feeling pretty presidential nowadays. As President of Missouri-based SKC Enterprises Inc. dba Rent One and the newly elected President of the APRO Board of Directors, Agin is putting his 38 years of rent-to-own (RTO) experience and expertise to work for his industry.

Agin was learning to weld at a community college and working at a grocery store in the same shopping center as a Rent One store when a friend recruited him to try rent-to-own.

“I haven’t welded since,” Agin laughs. “What began as an unexpected career opportunity became a genuine passion for the RTO industry, serving customers, nurturing colleagues, and helping people achieve ownership of products that improve their daily lives.”

From Mom-and-Pop to Midwestern Powerhouse

When Agin joined Rent One, the company had only seven stores. Over the years, Agin has played a pivotal role in helping Owners Larry and Sharon Carrico grow the business into 101 Rent One locations across eight Midwestern states and 13 RNR Tire Express stores – not only serving countless customers, but creating meaningful career opportunities for thousands of RTO professionals.

“Whether we’re helping customers overcome financial barriers, developing team members into future leaders, or collaborating with industry peers, this industry is built on relationships,” asserts Agin. “We have the privilege of making a positive impact on people’s lives every day, and it’s incredibly rewarding.”

Giving Back to Move the Industry Forward

Agin is no newcomer to the APRO Board of Directors; he has served as a member since 2012, including two years as Secretary, seven years as Treasurer, one year as 1st Vice President, and now President. Additionally, Agin is actively involved in Rent One’s state rental dealer associations and has attended 17 APRO Legislative Conferences – missing only one since 2007.

“I believe in giving back to the industry that has provided so many opportunities for me and my family,” Agin affirms. “APRO plays a critical role in advocacy, education, and protecting the future of RTO. Today, we all face a fast-changing business environment, and it’s important that APRO continues to equip our members with the training, resources, and representation they need to succeed.”

Putting People First for Lasting Success

Agin’s hard work and dedication haven’t gone unlauded; in 2020, he received the APRO President’s Award, and in 2025, he was presented with the APRO Heritage Award, as well as the Rent One Legacy Award for his enduring contributions to the company’s culture and success.

For Agin, these accolades represent more than personal accomplishment – they reflect the collective efforts of the people who have helped shape Rent One and the RTO industry over the past almost 40 years.

“Never underestimate the value of people,” concludes Agin.“ Processes, strategies, and technology matter, but great organizations are built by great people. If you invest in developing your team, communicate clearly, and lead with integrity, then the results will come.”


About SKC Enterprises Inc. dba Rent One

SKC Enterprises Inc. dba Rent One is a regional rent-to-own company with more than 100 locations across eight states. Founded in 1985, the company offers furniture, appliances, electronics, mattresses, and other home essentials through flexible rental-purchase options. Rent One has been an APRO member since 1990.

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Mike Lewis

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.