Association of Progressive Rental Organizations (APRO)
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APRO on the Hill

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Arkansas and Illinois Rental Dealers met with Arkansas Senator John Boozman
Nearly 100 APRO members met February 8-9 in Washington, D.C., for the 2017 Dave Egan Legislative Conference. RTO representatives headed to capitol hill to meet with members of Congress about their businesses, the nature of the rent-to-own transaction and most importantly building constituent relationships that have been nurtured over the years at the industry’s most important political event of the year. The two-day event kicked off with a briefing and breakfast sponsored by TRIB Group at The National Republican Club of Capitol Hill. Members swarmed in, gathered their APRO 2017 Dave Egan Legislative Conference pins and packets and commiserated before a hot buffet breakfast. APRO’s Executive Director Bill Keese and APRO’s President Mark Connelly gave a warm welcome before an informational briefing provided by APRO’s Deputy Executive Director Richard May, APRO’s Legal Counsel Ed Winn and APRO Board Member Matt Grynwald. Members were given tips and outlines for their congressional meetings before heading out for the day. Over 100 meetings were scheduled in efforts to forge relationships, ensure that rental stores remain open and that satisfied customers continue to embrace the rent-to-own transaction. DSC01092After a long day of meetings members gathered for a reception and dinner at the immaculate Mansion on O Street sponsored by RentDirect Nationwide. The unique evening began with a self-guided tour of this amazing home and museum, followed by dinner. APRO’s President Mark Connelly and APRO Board Member Sandi Frye handed out special Dave Egan Legislative Conference pins to State Association Presidents in attendance. APRO’s Immediate Past President Gary Ferriman and APRO Board Member Jamie Slatton gave a special toast to APRO’s Executive Director Bill Keese honoring his dedication to the RTO industry over the years.
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APRO’s Immediate Past President Gary Ferriman with Congressmen Jim Jordan (OH-04).
Members spent the last day of the conference meeting with members of congress before heading back home. APRO’s 2017 Dave Egan Legislative Conference was truly a memorable time. Stay tuned for more coverage on the congressional meetings. Click here to read more about the conference. Click here to see more photos.
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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.