Association of Progressive Rental Organizations

Kamerschen Joins Global Law Firm

Robert W. Kamerschen joins global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP, as a shareholder in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Kamerschen previously served Aaron’s Inc. as Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer. In his previous role, he managed several aspects of legal, compliance, government relations, external affairs, security, information security, risk management, charitable giving, and corporate governance.

“After working with Greenberg Traurig as a client for many years, I look forward to utilizing my in-house experience to anticipate the needs of clients and help address their most pressing business matters,” Kamerschen said. “Greenberg Traurig is well known for its best-in-class client service, collaborative culture, and global footprint. I am excited to join this outstanding team.”

“Robbie was instrumental in leading Aaron’s through many significant changes, showcasing the depth of his corporate law expertise,” said Ernest LaMont Greer, Co-President of Greenberg Traurig, who has worked with Kamerschen over the past decade as a client. “His wealth of experience in the retail arena brings a fresh perspective to the firm, and his in-house background provides him with a deep understanding of the challenges clients face in today’s legal and regulatory environment and expectations of their outside counsel. As many lawyers are leaving private practice to go in-house, we are thrilled that Robbie has decided to join the firm.”

Kamerschen’s experience is in government investigations, employment law, privacy, regulatory, intellectual property, litigation, financings, acquisitions, and corporate matters. 

“The addition of Robbie adds depth to key areas of importance to our clients and our firm and underscores the strategic growth of the Atlanta office. Clients will benefit tremendously from his legal savviness, global retail experience, and deep understanding of the legal and business issues many of our clients face,” said Theodore I. Blum, managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig’s Atlanta office.

Before joining Aaron’s, Kamerschen served as United States General Counsel, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, and Chief Compliance Officer at Equifax. Earlier in his career, he served at ChoicePoint and as a General Counsel of EzGov.

Before attending law school, Kamerschen worked on Capitol Hill as Deputy Press Secretary for Senator Richard Shelby (Alabama) and played minor league baseball in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. Kamerschen is a graduate of Stanford University and an honors graduate of the University of Georgia School of Law.

About Greenberg Traurig, LLP: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT), has approximately 2200 attorneys in 40 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation. The firm is net carbon neutral with respect to its office energy usage and Mansfield Rule 3.0 Certified. www.gtlaw.com

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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.