Association of Professional Rental Organizations (APRO)
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Tennessee Rental Dealers Connect, Share, & Learn at Annual Meeting

Three older men stand together, smiling.
A trio of RTO veterans enjoying each others’ company at the TRDA annual meeting: (L to R) TRDA President Chris Bolin, TRDA Secretary-Treasurer Ray McDowell, and TRIB Group Executive Director Dennis Shields.

The Tennessee Rental Dealers Association (TRDA) recently held its annual meeting in Nashville, Tennessee – a single-day event featuring special guests, vendor presentations, and a very special dinner at a century-old institution.

The total 40 attendees included three guest speakers, beginning with APRO CEO Charles Smitherman. Smitherman spoke about the book he recently co-authored with Ryan Krass, CEO of WOW Brands, The Rent-to-Own Revolution, the remarkable story of how the rent-to-own (RTO) industry was built, challenged, and eventually legitimized into a regulated, nationwide industry.

Tennessee State Senator Bill Powers also spoke to the group, recapping the latest session of the Tennessee General Assembly. And Justin Hosie, a Partner with Hudson Cook LLP, offered some consumer-protection practices for Tennessee rental dealers.

Throughout the day, 16 different vendors provided informational presentations, with many also offering product special pricing for TRDA members. The event culminated with a private dinner at The Palm restaurant, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The venue is well-known for its caricature-lined walls honoring local celebrities and its iconic Italian-steakhouse menu, all located in the heart of downtown Nashville, Tennessee.

A man and a woman lean toward one another and smile broadly as they sit at a table with wineglasses. Two men behind them share a laugh.
TRDA Board member Trent Agin and his wife, Kathy, enjoy lunch with their RTO colleagues at Gannons restaurant.
A large group of adults sit in a professional classroom setting, with a man at the front of the room giving a presentation.
APRO CEO Charles Smitherman talks with TRDA members and vendors about the rich history and promising future of rent-to-own.
A small group of men and women sit around a table, smiling.
TRDA members shared dinner at The Palm, which is celebrating its century mark this year.

“This special dinner of fellowship, ambiance, and outstanding food has become a favorite part of the meeting for all attendees,” said TRDA President Chris Bolin. “Vendor participation and sponsorship were spectacular this year, and members greatly enjoyed all of our presenters and guest speakers. The Board of Directors and I are already planning for an even better meeting next year!”

Special thanks to all the rent-to-own vendors who supported TRDA by participating in this year’s annual meeting:

  • Ashley Furniture Industries
  • Benefit Marketing Solutions
  • Climatic Home Products
  • Creditor Law Center
  • GigaCloud/Wondersign
  • Global Furniture USA
  • Jamison Bedding
  • L2 Corporation
  • Man Wah USA, Inc.
  • Nav-Air Corporation
  • New Generations Diamond & Jewelry Co.
  • O’Rourke Sales Company
  • Redball Technology
  • Simply Bunk Beds
  • TRIB Group
  • Trustmark
  • VersiRent/Ideal Software Systems Inc.
  • Whirlpool Corporation

Two older men stand next to one another, smiling.
Benefit Marketing Solutions’ Senior Vice President James MacAlpine (L) and TRDA President Chris Bolin (R) catch up during the TRDA group dinner in downtown Nashville, Tennessee.
A group of men and women, both sitting and standing, surround a large table and smile
TRDA members shared lunch at Gannons restaurant in the Marriott Courtyard.
Two men stand beside one another, smiling.
TRDA Secretary-Treasurer Ray McDowell (L) thanks guest speaker Justin Hosie (R) for his practicable presentation during the TRDA annual meeting.

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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.