Association of Progressive Rental Organizations
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Advocacy Resource Hub

Welcome to APRO’s Advocacy Resource Hub! Here, you’ll find a wealth of tools and resources to help you effectively engage with policymakers and educate your community. Whether you’re a seasoned advocate or new to the process, this hub is designed to empower APRO members with the knowledge and support needed to protect and promote the RTO business model.

Current Advocacy Campaigns

Here you’ll find grassroots initiatives designed to amplify your voice and protect the interests of the rent-to-own industry. These campaigns empower members to influence public policy and regulations with ease. Click below to browse the current campaigns take action today!

View Current Campaigns

State-Level Member Resources

This section provides essential tools for RTO advocacy – including RTO statutes, State Economic Impact Reports, State Rental Dealer Association details, Legislative Alerts, and Congressional District Maps to support effective engagement with policymakers. 

More Advocacy Resources

Click on a resource to view the PDF.

RTO At a Glance

RTO At a Glance
Leave Behind

State Legislative Sessions Calendar

State Legislative
Sessions Calendar

2024 APRO PAC Plan

APRO PAC Plan

State Legislative Sessions Calenda

APRO Government
Relations Plan

RTO Rules and Regulations

Rent-to-Own
Rules and Regulations

Advocacy Basics Course

This is a 30-minute course designed to get you ready to serve as a champion for the RTO industry! It is an introduction to legislative advocacy divided into five modules on the main elements advocating for RTO and approaching legislative meetings on the federal and state level.

How to Access the Legislative Advocacy Course on EdApp

Step 1: Sign Up

Step 2: Create Your Account

  • Enter your email address when prompted.
  • Choose a password to create your account.
  • Follow any additional instructions for account verification if required.

Step 3: Access the Course

  • Once your account is set up, you will be automatically redirected to the course introduction page.
  • If not redirected, navigate to the ‘Courses’ section of EdApp and look for the “Legislative Advocacy Course.”

Step 4: Navigate the Course

  • The course is divided into five modules. Start with Module 1 and progress sequentially.
  • Each module may contain readings, interactive lessons, quizzes, or videos. Engage with all the material to get the most out of the course.

Step 5: Certificate and Thank You!

  • Once you complete the training, please send an email to info@rtohq.org to receive your certificate of completion, thank you!
Launch Advocacy Basics Course

Contact Your Legislators

We make it easy to connect directly with your state and federal legislators to advocate for the issues that matter most to the RTO industry. Use this tool to schedule meetings, invite your legislators to special events at your store, make your voice heard and help shape policies that support our members, businesses, and communities.

Click a button below to email or call your legislators. 

State Representatives State Senators U.S. Representatives U.S. Senators

If you would prefer to view a list of your legislators with their contact information and links to their websites, click here. 

Disclaimer: The information contained on this website is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information and services are general and educational in nature, may not reflect all recent legal developments, and may not apply to the specific facts and circumstances of individual transactions and cases. The information and services on this website are not intended to and shall not be used as legal advice or as the basis of an attorney-client relationship. Articles and other publications on this website are current as of their date of publication and do not necessarily reflect the present law or regulations. The materials on this website are protected by copyright and trademark laws, are intended for personal use only, and may not be reproduced, distributed, modified, stored or posted in any form without written permission. You should consult with legal counsel before acting on any of the information and services on this website.

Upcoming Events

View Calendar


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.