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Buddy’s Home Furnishings’ Annual Leadership Meeting Focuses on Growth in 2017

Buddy's Home Furnishing MBennett 123A
Michael Bennett, Chief Operating Officer of Buddy’s Home Furnishings, speaks to attendees at the 2017 Leadership Meeting in Orlando, Florida. Bennett has led Buddy’s expansion to become the third largest rental-purchase company in the US.
Buddy’s Home Furnishings, the fastest growing rent-to-own company in the nation, recently held its annual Leadership Meeting at the Gaylord Hotel and Convention Center in Orlando, Fl. The company celebrated 51% growth in 2016 and detailed plans for continued aggressive expansion in 2017 and beyond. The event kicked off with a private vendor fair and recognition of Buddy’s Top Performers, including 14 recipients of the Peak Performance award. “Our top performing franchisees continue to find innovative ways to expand the Buddy’s business without losing focus of our top priority – serving our customers,” stated Michael Bennett, COO of Buddy’s Home Furnishings. Special recognition was given to the winner of the Norman Slatton Excellence Award, Angela Shutt, General Manager of Buddy’s Home Furnishings franchise RNB in Cullman, Alabama. “Angela embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship, leadership and service of Buddy’s founder, Norman Slatton, Sr.,” Bennett said. During the General Session on day two, Buddy’s corporate team laid out the strategy for growing existing franchises and opening new markets in 2017. “As the rest of the industry contracts, our company is expanding. There are tremendous growth opportunities for our franchisees,” said Bennett. “The Buddy’s system is built for profitable growth.” Among other acquisitions in 2016, Buddy’s recently acquired 80 Home Smart stores from Aaron’s, opening additional opportunities for new and existing Buddy’s franchisees. Breakout sessions were held at the end of the second day to give franchisees the opportunity to interact with key corporate departments and refine strategies. “The Buddy’s system has attracted the best-of-the-best franchisees in the business,” noted Bennett. “The corporate support team’s role is to develop systems that maximize profit potential.” Bennett added that exceptional growth in 2016 was a precursor for additional anticipated expansion in 2017. About Buddy’s Home Furnishings Orlando, FL-based Buddy’s Home Furnishings, is focused on providing profitable franchise opportunities nationwide. The Buddy’s Home Furnishings franchise is the third largest rent-to-own company in the United States, operating more than 330 locations. For additional information, visit our website at http://www.buddyrents.com/.

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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.