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Association of Progressive Rental Organizations (APRO)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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  • About
    • About APRO
    • APRO Committees
    • Board & Staff
    • Vendor Advisory Committee
    • State Associations & Leadership
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    • Join APRO
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  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy Resource Hub
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  • Events
    • Industry Events
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  • Foundation
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    • Share Your Member News
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    • RTO Legends Take the Mic
    • The RTO Show Podcast – Listen Here!
    • The RTO Insight Review Blog
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  • Contact
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    • Legal Hotline
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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
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    • LEAP Portal
    • Legal Hotline
    • Rent-to-Own Industry Health Summary
  • Contact
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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
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  • Advocacy
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    • Legislative Conference
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  • Events
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  • Foundation
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    • APRO Scholarship Fund
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    • 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
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      • Advocacy Resource Hub
      • AI Resource Hub
      • Business Resource Hub
      • Cybersecurity Hub
      • Educational Resources
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25 events found.

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Today
  • June 2017

  • Thu 8
    June 8, 2017 - June 11, 2017

    Tupelo Furniture Market Summer 2017

    Tupelo Furniture Market Tupelo, MS, United States
  • Wed 14
    June 14, 2017 - June 15, 2017

    TRIB Group Round Table

    Ameristar Casino and Resort One Ameristar Blvd., St. Charles, MO, United States

    TRIB Group is looking forward to the 2017 Summer Think Tank hosted by Imagery Marketing Solutions. This two-day event will showcase the hosts' services that are available to TRIB members, as well as provide a chance for members to network and exchange ideas with fellow members. In addition to vendor meetings, members will be treated […]

  • Thu 29
    June 29, 2017

    D&H Distributing Annual Mid-Atlantic Summer Technology Trade Show

    Hershey Lodge and Convention Center 325 University Dr, Hershey, PA, United States

    Join D&H Distributing for its annual Mid-Atlantic Summer Technology Trade Show on June 29. For complete information, please the D&H Techshow website.

  • July 2017

  • Tue 25
    July 25, 2017 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

    New York Rental Dealer Association Annual Meeting

    Turning Stone Resort and Casino 5218 Patrick Rd., Verona, NY, United States

    Join your fellow New York rental dealers for the NYRDA 2017 Annual Meeting. Meeting will be held at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in the Willow Room (T6). A continental breakfast will be served. NYRDA Business Meeting Agenda 10 – 10:15AM – Opening and Welcome 10:15 – 11AM – APRO General Counsel Ed Winn […]

  • August 2017

  • Sun 20
    August 20, 2017 - August 23, 2017

    RentDirect Nationwide PrimeTime! Vendor Show

    The Venetian 3355 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV, United States

    For complete information, please visit the PrimeTime website.

  • Sun 27
    August 27, 2017 - August 30, 2017

    TRIB Group/BrandSource 2017 Convention

    Ceasars Palace 3570 S Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV, United States
  • September 2017

  • Wed 13
    September 13, 2017 - September 14, 2017

    RNR Tire Express & Custom Wheels 2017 Midyear Conference

    Atlanta Renaissance Concourse Hotel 1 Hartsfield Center Pkwy., Atlanta, GA, United States

    Wednesday, Sept. 13 - 1 p.m.-6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14 - 9 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information, please contact Larry Sutton at (813) 977-9800.

  • Sun 24
    September 24, 2017 - September 27, 2017

    BestFest 2017 – Bestway Rent-to-Own Annual Store Manager Meeting

    Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa 11011 W. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, NV, United States
  • October 2017

  • Sat 14
    October 14, 2017 - October 18, 2017

    High Point Furniture Market Fall 2017

    High Point Market Authority 164 South Main Street, Suite 700, High Point, NC, United States
  • Mon 16
    October 16, 2017 - October 17, 2017

    2017 RNR Tire Express Manager’s Meeting

    Hilton Memphis 939 Ridge Lake Boulevard, Memphis, TN, United States

    Complimentary accommodations are provided; however, credit card information is required for incidental charges to hotel rooms. Click here for reservations or call the hotel directly at 800/445-8667 and mention RNR Tires Nationwide Manager’s Meeting or request RNR block (code RN1015); the hotel deadline is September 30.

  • November 2017

  • Wed 8
    November 8, 2017 - November 9, 2017

    TRIB Group Electronics Committee Meeting

    Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta Airport/Millenium Center 2301 Sullivan Road, College Park, GA, United States
  • Tue 14
    November 14, 2017

    Kentucky Rental Dealers Association Annual Meeting

    21c Museum Hotels 700 West Main Street, Louisville, KY, United States

    For more information about the event and to register, contact Robert Barnes, 502/727-6452, rmbarn@gmail.com. The deadline to register is November 1.

  • Tue 14
    November 14, 2017 - November 16, 2017

    TRIB Group Furniture Committee Meeting

    Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta Airport/Millenium Center 2301 Sullivan Road, College Park, GA, United States
  • Mon 20
    November 20, 2017 - November 21, 2017

    TRIB Group Appliance Committee Meeting

    Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta Airport/Millenium Center 2301 Sullivan Road, College Park, GA, United States
  • Tue 28
    November 28, 2017 - November 29, 2017

    TRIB Group Specialty Committee Meeting

    Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta Airport/Millenium Center 2301 Sullivan Road, College Park, GA, United States
  • Thu 30
    November 30, 2017

    TRIB Group Marketing Committee Meeting

    Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta Airport/Millenium Center 2301 Sullivan Road, College Park, GA, United States
  • December 2017

  • Wed 6
    December 6, 2017 - December 7, 2017

    BrandSource Leadership Conference

    Scottsdale Plaza Resort 7200 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ, United States
  • Fri 8
    December 8, 2017

    TRIB Group Board of Directors Meeting

    Scottsdale Plaza Resort 7200 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ, United States
  • January 2018

  • Thu 4
    January 4, 2018 - January 7, 2018

    Tupelo Furniture Market Winter 2018

    TBA - Mississippi Tupelo, MS, United States
  • Tue 9
    January 9, 2018 - January 12, 2018

    Consumer Electronics Show 2018

    Las Vegas, NV Las Vegas, NV, United States
  • Sun 14
    January 14, 2018

    The Premier Companies National Convention

    Marriott Miami Airport 1201 NW Le Jeune Road, Miami, FL, United States
  • Mon 15
    January 15, 2018 - January 19, 2018

    The Premier Companies Dealer Retreat & Marketing Workshop

    Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa Montego Bay, Jamaica
  • Sun 28
    January 28, 2018 - January 30, 2018

    Rent-A-Center Franchising International 2018 Convention

    Gaylord Texan 1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine, TX, United States

    For more information, contact Cristal Cable at (972) 403-4956.

  • Sun 28
    January 28, 2018 - February 1, 2018

    Las Vegas Market Winter 2018

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

    APRO Hospitality Suite Generously sponsored by Ashley Furniture Monday, January 29, 5:00-6:30 p.m. Ashley suite, World Market Center Building B, 15th Floor

  • Mon 29
    January 29, 2018 - January 30, 2018

    TRIB Group Think Tank @ Las Vegas Market Winter 2018

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