Association of Progressive Rental Organizations

Meet RNR Operations Manager Matt King

RNR does Rent to own wheels and tires

Rent-to-own employees are the backbone of the industry. As such, APRO likes to feature rent-to-own employees out there in the field that have been a part of the rent-to-own family helping build the industry. This article features RNR’s Matt King from St. Petersburg, Florida.

Matt started out as a RNR wheel technician 15 years ago and has worked up to Operations Manager of 7 RNR corporate locations and part owner of three in Florida.

Matt entered the business with a passion for cars that started out when Matt was young as cars were something he and father shared a common bond. As he states, “I love automotive so much, it felt like it would be a fun career to have.” He understands that rent-to-own wheels and tires and RNR are a different business than traditional wheel and tire stores and in the automotive industry in general. “We sell customer service first and tires and wheels second. And our customers are great! They are the mom’s and dad’s that need safe tires on their vehicles to the car enthusiast that want to look good cruising down the road.” He proclaims one of the best parts of his job is working with the best employees and traveling to the different RNR locations learning new ideas that he can share with everyone. One of which came from an employee who recommended they offer six months same as cash versus the four months. They now promote it in all stores and their advertising. His response to the new idea was, “why didn’t I think that. lol”. His customer service-first mentality shows in helping thousands of customers through the years but one that stands out is Sam Brown. Sam has been a customer since 2001 and has purchased many sets with RNR and referring friends and families to his shop. But Matt says it’s the personal relationship he enjoys the most from Sam and his many other customers.RNR Employee Matt King is rent to own employee feature Matt has been married for seven years to wife and best friend Heather who spend all of their spare time together. He enjoys riding his bike, Sea Doo-ing, shooting at the range and rooting for the Tampa Bay Rays. Kudos to you, Matt, for all you do to help the rent-to-own industry thrive in the marketplace and serve customers throughout the nation.

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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.