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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
  • August 2016

  • Sun 14
    August 14, 2016 - August 17, 2016

    RentDirect Nationwide PrimeTime! Vendor Show

    Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center 2800 Opryland Drive, Nashville, TN, United States
  • Thu 18
    August 18, 2016 - August 21, 2016

    Tupelo Furniture Market Fall 2016

    Tupelo Furniture Market Tupelo, MS, United States
  • Sun 28
    August 28, 2016 - August 31, 2016

    TRIB Group 2016 Meeting of the Minds & Expo

    Ceasars Palace 3570 S Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV, United States
  • September 2016

  • Tue 6
    September 6, 2016 - September 8, 2016

    National Barn & Storage Rental Association 2016 Conference

    NBSRA Conference 2016 815 Main St., Fort Worth, TX, United States

    You are invited to join the NBSRA September 6-8, 2016 at the Historic Hilton at 815 Main Street, Fort Worth, TX for 2 days of interaction with speakers and leaders in the shed rental industry. This is the only event of its kind in the shed rental industry. You won’t want to miss the opportunity […]

  • Thu 8
    September 8, 2016

    Association of Iowa Rental Dealers 29th Annual Meeting

    Hilton Garden Inn 8600 Northpark Dr., Johnston, IA, United States

    Speakers include: Seth Weisblatt - Ashley Furniture Industries, speaking on Internet Marketing Mark Connelly - President of APRO, AIRD Board Member & Past AIRD Vice President Bill French - Vice President of Sales for O’Rourke Sales Company Doug Struyk - lobbyist for the AIRD Gary Jones - Vice President of Rental Sales, Ashley Furniture Industries   […]

  • Tue 13
    September 13, 2016 - September 14, 2016

    2016 Midwest RTO Training Expo

    Midwest RTO Training Expo Columbus, OH, United States
  • Tue 20
    September 20, 2016 - September 21, 2016

    Oklahoma Rental Dealers Association Annual Conference & Exhibit Show

    Hard Rock Casino & Resort 777 W Cherokee St, Catoosa, OK, United States

    The Oklahoma Rental Dealers Association would like to invite you to the first annual conference & exhibit show on Tuesday, September 20th and Wednesday, September 21st at the Hard Rock Casino & Resort in Tulsa! If you have not had the opportunity to attend a meeting or join the association this is your chance. Dealers […]

  • Sun 25
    September 25, 2016 - September 28, 2016

    BestFest 2016 – Bestway Rent-to-Own Annual Store Manager Meeting

    Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa 4000 S Sandestin Blvd, Miramar Beach, FL, United States
  • Tue 27
    September 27, 2016

    The Premier Companies Discovery Day

    The Premier Companies Corporate Office 5510 FM 1765, Texas City, TX, United States
  • Tue 27
    September 27, 2016 - September 28, 2016

    Florida Rental Dealers Association Annual Meeting

    Westin Tampa Harbour Island 725 S Harbour Island Blvd, Tampa, FL, United States

    Tuesday, September 27 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. - Welcome Reception at Jackson's Bistro, Tampa 7 p.m.-10 p.m. - Jolly Mon Pub Crawl Wednesday, September 28 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. - Vendor Mingle 12:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. - Lunch/Annual Meeting

  • October 2016

  • Tue 11
    October 11, 2016

    The Premier Companies Discovery Day

    The Premier Companies Corporate Office 5510 FM 1765, Texas City, TX, United States
  • Wed 12
    October 12, 2016

    Illinois Rental/Purchase Dealers Association Annual Meeting

  • Sat 22
    October 22, 2016 - October 26, 2016

    High Point Furniture Market Fall 2016

    High Point Market Authority 164 South Main Street, Suite 700, High Point, NC, United States
  • January 2017

  • Thu 5
    January 5, 2017 - January 8, 2017

    Consumer Electronics Show 2017

    Las Vegas, NV Las Vegas, NV, United States
  • Mon 23
    January 23, 2017 - January 24, 2017

    TRIBGroup 2017 Think Tank

    Las Vegas Furniture Market 475 S. Grand Central Pkwy, Suite 1615, Las Vegas, NV, United States
  • Sun 29
    January 29, 2017 - January 31, 2017

    Rent-A-Center Franchising International 2017 Convention

    Embassy Suites 7600 John Q Hammons Dr, Frisco, TX, United States

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

  • February 2017

  • Wed 8
    February 8, 2017 - February 9, 2017

    APRO 2017 Dave Egan Legislative Conference

    Capitol Hill Hotel 200 C St SE, Washington, DC, United States

    Make plans now to attend APRO's 2017 Dave Egan Legislative Conference. February 8-9, 2017 Washington, D.C The 2017 conference will be held at the Capitol Hill Hotel, located in the heart of Capitol Hill at 200 C Street S.E., Washington, D.C. Reservations Click here to book your room at the Capitol Hill Hotel When booking […]

  • March 2017

  • Sun 5
    March 5, 2017 - March 8, 2017

    TRIB Group/BrandSource the Summit & Expo

    Orlando World Center Marriott 8701 World Center Drive, Orlando, FL, United States
  • Sun 19
    March 19, 2017 - March 22, 2017

    RentDirect Nationwide PrimeTime!

    New Orleans Morial Convention Center 900 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA, United States
  • Wed 29
    March 29, 2017

    Ohio Rental Dealers Association Spring Meeting

    DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel-Worthington 175 Hutchinson Ave., Columbus, OH, United States

    Join fellow ORDA members for the 2017 Spring Business Meeting where we will take care of association business and elect ORDA officers. Lunch will be provided. Email your RSVP by March 24th to Mike Tissot.

  • April 2017

  • Sun 2
    April 2, 2017 - April 6, 2017

    TRIB Group 2017 TRIB Trip

    Details to come. For more information, contact Dennis Shields at (770) 451-4302.

  • Tue 4
    April 4, 2017 - April 5, 2017

    Florida Rental Dealers Association Legislative Conference

    Tallahassee, FL, United States
  • Tue 11
    April 11, 2017

    Missouri Rental Dealers Association Annual Meeting

    Holiday Inn Select HOtel 2200 I-70 Drive S.W., Columbia, MO, United States
  • Tue 18
    April 18, 2017 - April 20, 2017

    Ideal Software 2017 User Conference

    Atlanta Airport Marriott 4711 Best Rd, Atlanta, GA, United States

    Save The Date! Ideal Software’s 2017 User Conference April 18-20, 2017 Atlanta, Georgia Don’t miss the chance to learn new features, interact with other users, and shape the direction of upcoming features.  

  • Sat 22
    April 22, 2017 - April 26, 2017

    High Point Furniture Market Spring 2017

    High Point Market Authority 164 South Main Street, Suite 700, High Point, NC, 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.