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Association of Progressive Rental Organizations (APRO)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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  • Home
  • About
    • About APRO
    • APRO Committees
    • Board & Staff
    • Vendor Advisory Committee
    • State Associations & Leadership
  • Membership
    • Join APRO
    • Membership Benefits
    • Code of Ethics
    • Engagement Opportunities
    • Hall of Honor
    • Member Directory
    • Member Login
  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy Resource Hub
    • Legislative Conference
    • Legislative Meeting Debrief Form
  • Events
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Legislative Conference
    • RTO World
    • Share Your Events
  • Foundation
    • About the Foundation
    • RTO Employees Disaster Relief Fund
    • APRO Scholarship Fund
  • News
    • Industry News
    • Community Outreach
    • RTOHQ: The Magazine
    • APRO Today E-newsletter
    • Share Your Member News
  • Resources
    • RTO Legends Take the Mic
    • The RTO Show Podcast – Listen Here!
    • The RTO Insight Review Blog
    • The Rent-to-Own Revolution Book
    • Resource Hubs
      • Advocacy Resource Hub
      • AI Resource Hub
      • Business Resource Hub
      • Cybersecurity Hub
      • Educational Resources
      • Legal Resource Hub
    • Charles’ Monthly Health Tip
    • LEAP Portal
    • Legal Hotline
    • Rent-to-Own Industry Health Summary
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Legal Hotline
JOIN APRO
  • Home
  • About
    • About APRO
    • APRO Committees
    • Board & Staff
    • Vendor Advisory Committee
    • State Associations & Leadership
  • Membership
    • Join APRO
    • Membership Benefits
    • Code of Ethics
    • Engagement Opportunities
    • Hall of Honor
    • Member Directory
    • Member Login
  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy Resource Hub
    • Legislative Conference
    • Legislative Meeting Debrief Form
  • Events
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Legislative Conference
    • RTO World
    • Share Your Events
  • Foundation
    • About the Foundation
    • RTO Employees Disaster Relief Fund
    • APRO Scholarship Fund
  • News
    • Industry News
    • Community Outreach
    • RTOHQ: The Magazine
    • APRO Today E-newsletter
    • Share Your Member News
  • Resources
    • RTO Legends Take the Mic
    • The RTO Show Podcast – Listen Here!
    • The RTO Insight Review Blog
    • The Rent-to-Own Revolution Book
    • Resource Hubs
      • Advocacy Resource Hub
      • AI Resource Hub
      • Business Resource Hub
      • Cybersecurity Hub
      • Educational Resources
      • Legal Resource Hub
    • Charles’ Monthly Health Tip
    • LEAP Portal
    • Legal Hotline
    • Rent-to-Own Industry Health Summary
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Legal Hotline
  • Home
  • About
    • About APRO
    • APRO Committees
    • Board & Staff
    • Vendor Advisory Committee
    • State Associations & Leadership
  • Membership
    • Join APRO
    • Membership Benefits
    • Code of Ethics
    • Engagement Opportunities
    • Hall of Honor
    • Member Directory
    • Member Login
  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy Resource Hub
    • Legislative Conference
    • Legislative Meeting Debrief Form
  • Events
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Legislative Conference
    • RTO World
    • Share Your Events
  • Foundation
    • About the Foundation
    • RTO Employees Disaster Relief Fund
    • APRO Scholarship Fund
  • News
    • Industry News
    • Community Outreach
    • RTOHQ: The Magazine
    • APRO Today E-newsletter
    • Share Your Member News
  • Resources
    • RTO Legends Take the Mic
    • The RTO Show Podcast – Listen Here!
    • The RTO Insight Review Blog
    • The Rent-to-Own Revolution Book
    • Resource Hubs
      • Advocacy Resource Hub
      • AI Resource Hub
      • Business Resource Hub
      • Cybersecurity Hub
      • Educational Resources
      • Legal Resource Hub
    • Charles’ Monthly Health Tip
    • LEAP Portal
    • Legal Hotline
    • Rent-to-Own Industry Health Summary
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Legal Hotline
JOIN APRO
25 events found.

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Today
  • February 2018

  • Tue 13
    February 13, 2018

    The Premier Companies Discovery Day

    The Premier Companies Corporate Office 5510 FM 1765, Texas City, TX, United States
  • Wed 14
    February 14, 2018 - February 15, 2018

    Buddy’s Home Furnishings 2018 Leadership Meeting

    Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando Resort 6300 Hollywood Way, Orlando, FL, United States
  • Mon 26
    February 26, 2018 - March 1, 2018

    RentDirect Nationwide PrimeTime!

    Gaylord Palms 6000 W Osceola Pkwy, Kissimmee, FL, United States
  • March 2018

  • Sat 3
    March 3, 2018 - March 6, 2018

    TRIB Group/BrandSource the Summit & Expo

    Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center 2800 Opryland Drive, Nashville, TN, United States
  • April 2018

  • Sat 14
    April 14, 2018 - April 18, 2018

    High Point Furniture Market Spring 2018

    High Point Market Authority 164 South Main Street, Suite 700, High Point, NC, United States
  • May 2018

  • Sun 6
    May 6, 2018 - May 10, 2018

    2018 TRIB Retreat

    Ramon's Village, Belize Coconut Drive, San Pedro, Belize

    Second Annual TRIB Retreat Come join us for a relaxed and unique networking opportunity with TRIB members and supporting vendors. What:  A 4-night get away with other TRIB members (owners / executives) and their spouses/significant others, to relax and get to know one another in a casual setting – sharing personal and business ideas in an […]

  • July 2018

  • Fri 20
    July 20, 2018

    Rental Purchase Dealers Association of Indiana Annual Meeting

    The Seasons Lodge in Nashville, Indiana 560 St. Rd. 46 E., Nashville, IN, United States

    The meeting will begin at 3 PM

  • Sun 29
    July 29, 2018 - August 2, 2018

    Las Vegas Market Summer 2018

    World Market Center Las Vegas 475 S Grand Central Parkway Suite 1615, Las Vegas, NV, United States
  • August 2018

  • Sun 5
    August 5, 2018 - August 8, 2018

    RentDirect Nationwide PrimeTime! Vendor Show

    The Venetian 3355 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV, United States
  • Tue 21
    August 21, 2018 - August 23, 2018

    RTO World 2018

    America's Center Convention Complex 701 Convention Plaza, St. Louis, MO, United States

    Rent-to-own professionals will experience a world of difference at next year’s industry-wide RTO summer convention. APRO and TRIB Group are joining forces to present RTO World 2018: The National Rent-to-Own Convention and Trade Show, August 21–23 in St. Louis, Missouri. The two organizations are collaborating on a single event that will be unlike any other […]

  • Sun 26
    August 26, 2018 - August 29, 2018

    BrandSource 2018 Convention

    Ceasars Palace 3570 S Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV, United States
  • September 2018

  • Wed 5
    September 5, 2018 - September 6, 2018

    National Barn & Storage Rental Association 2018 Conference

    TBA
  • October 2018

  • Sat 13
    October 13, 2018 - October 17, 2018

    High Point Furniture Market Fall 2018

    High Point Market Authority 164 South Main Street, Suite 700, High Point, NC, United States
  • January 2019

  • Mon 7
    January 7, 2019 - January 9, 2019

    RNR Tire Express’ 16th Annual Conference & Expo

    Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel 4200 Jim Walter Blvd, Tampa, FL, United States
  • Tue 8
    January 8, 2019 - January 11, 2019

    Consumer Electronics Show 2019

    Las Vegas, NV Las Vegas, NV, United States
  • Sat 12
    January 12, 2019 - January 13, 2019

    The Premier Companies National Convention

    TBA
  • Mon 14
    January 14, 2019 - January 17, 2019

    The Premier Companies Celebration

    TBA
  • Sun 27
    January 27, 2019 - January 31, 2019

    Las Vegas Market Winter 2019

    World Market Center Las Vegas 475 S Grand Central Parkway Suite 1615, Las Vegas, NV, United States
  • February 2019

  • Sun 10
    February 10, 2019 - February 13, 2019

    RentDirect Nationwide PrimeTime!

    The Venetian 3355 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV, United States
  • March 2019

  • Fri 1
    March 1, 2019

    The Premier Companies Dealer Retreat & Marketing Workshop

    Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center 2800 Opryland Drive, Nashville, TN, United States
  • Fri 1
    March 1, 2019 - March 4, 2019

    TRIB Group/BrandSource the Summit & Expo

    Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center 2800 Opryland Drive, Nashville, TN, United States
  • Tue 19
    March 19, 2019

    The Premier Companies Discovery Day

    The Premier Companies Corporate Office 5510 FM 1765, Texas City, TX, United States
  • April 2019

  • Sat 6
    April 6, 2019 - April 10, 2019

    High Point Furniture Market Spring 2019

    High Point Market Authority 164 South Main Street, Suite 700, High Point, NC, United States
  • Tue 16
    April 16, 2019

    The Premier Companies Discovery Day

    The Premier Companies Corporate Office 5510 FM 1765, Texas City, TX, United States
  • Tue 23
    April 23, 2019 - April 24, 2019

    Kansas Rental Dealers Association 2019 Annual Meeting

    DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Wichita Airport 2098 Airport Road, Wichita, KS, United States

    For more information, please contact Angela Strong-McCool (620) 474-5603.

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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.