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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
  • 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
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    • 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
      • 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
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  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy Resource Hub
    • Legislative Conference
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  • Events
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Legislative Conference
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    • Share Your Events
  • Foundation
    • About the Foundation
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    • APRO Scholarship Fund
  • News
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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
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    • Legal Hotline
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25 events found.

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Today
  • January 2020

  • Tue 7
    January 7, 2020 - January 10, 2020

    Consumer Electronics Show 2020

    Las Vegas, NV Las Vegas, NV, United States
  • Sat 11
    January 11, 2020 - January 12, 2020

    The Premier Companies National Convention

    TBA
  • Mon 13
    January 13, 2020 - January 16, 2020

    The Premier Companies Celebration

    TBA
  • Sun 19
    January 19, 2020 - January 21, 2020

    2020 RNR Annual Franchise Convention

    Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel 4200 Jim Walter Blvd, Tampa, FL, United States

    Private - Franchisee & vendor only

  • Sun 26
    January 26, 2020 - January 30, 2020

    Las Vegas Market Winter 2020

    World Market Center Las Vegas 475 S Grand Central Parkway Suite 1615, Las Vegas, NV, United States
  • February 2020

  • Thu 6
    February 6, 2020 - February 7, 2020

    Premier Discovery Day/Orientation

    The Premier Companies Corporate Office 5510 FM 1765, Texas City, TX, United States
  • Sat 8
    February 8, 2020 - February 14, 2020

    Premier Training

  • Sun 9
    February 9, 2020 - February 12, 2020

    RentDirect Nationwide PrimeTime! Vendor Show

    George R. Brown Convention Center 1001 Avenida De Las Americas, Houston, TX, United States
  • Wed 19
    February 19, 2020 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

    Employment Law Update

    Call-in

    APRO members can register below and join us at 2 PM CT, Wednesday, February 19 for a free hour-long update and Q&A. Recent changes from the Department of Labor and in the Fair Labor Standards Act will be covered along with your specific questions. Find out if these and other recent employment law and compliance […]

  • Sun 23
    February 23, 2020

    Premier Marketing Workshop

    Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta, GA, United States
  • Sun 23
    February 23, 2020 - February 26, 2020

    TRIB Group 2020 Meeting of the Minds & Expo

    Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta, GA, United States
  • March 2020

  • Thu 12
    March 12, 2020 - March 13, 2020

    Premier Discovery Day/Orientation

    The Premier Companies Corporate Office 5510 FM 1765, Texas City, TX, United States
  • Sat 14
    March 14, 2020 - March 20, 2020

    Premier Training

    The Premier Companies Corporate Office 5510 FM 1765, Texas City, TX, United States
  • Sat 14
    March 14, 2020 @ 8:00 am - March 20, 2020 @ 5:00 pm

    Premier Training

    The Premier Companies Corporate Office 5510 FM 1765, Texas City, TX, United States
  • Mon 16
    March 16, 2020 - March 19, 2020

    Rent One Annual Meeting & Vendor Showcase – CANCELLED

    Ameristar Casino & Resort St. Charles, MO, United States

    This meeting has been cancelled. For more information about Rent One's meeting, please reach out to Rent One VP Corporate Strategy and Culture Kelly Martin at kellymartin@imagerystl.com

  • April 2020

  • Tue 14
    April 14, 2020 - April 15, 2020

    KRDA Annual Meeting – CANCELLED

    Holiday Inn Wichita 549 S Rock Rd, Kansas

    This meeting has been cancelled. For more information about KRDA's meeting, please reach out to KRDA President, Angela Strong-McCool at angie@mikesrenttoown.com.

  • Thu 16
    April 16, 2020 - April 17, 2020

    Premier Discovery Day/Orientation

    The Premier Companies Corporate Office 5510 FM 1765, Texas City, TX, United States
  • Sat 18
    April 18, 2020 - April 24, 2020

    Premier Training

    The Premier Companies Corporate Office 5510 FM 1765, Texas City, TX, United States
  • Tue 21
    April 21, 2020 - April 22, 2020

    Illinois Rental/Purchase Dealers Association Legislative Meeting

    Illinois State Capitol 301 S. 2nd St., Springfield, IL, United States

    Location: Springfield, IL (specific hotel TBD) APRIL 21 1:30 PM Meeting – Educational/business/vendors 7:00 PM Dinner APRIL 22 Legislative Day

  • Tue 21
    April 21, 2020 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

    Webinar | Tax Credits, Social Security Tax Deferrals & Other COVID-19 Tax Implications

    The Tax Credits, Social Security Tax Deferrals & Other COVID-19 Tax Implications webinar at 1 PM CT on April 21, features speaker Peter Mitchell, an Enrolled Agent at Tax Pro Advisor. Mitchell has extensive experience, having worked in the tax business since 1994. Mitchell will cover essential topics including new IRS tax deadlines, employer Social Security tax deferrals, […]

  • Wed 22
    April 22, 2020 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

    Webinar | The Math on PPP Loan Forgiveness

    The Math on PPP Loan Forgiveness webinar at 2 PM Central on April 22, features speaker Mike Helton, a tax shareholder at Rivero, Gordimer & Company P.A. and CPA. With over 15 years of experience with RTO clients, Helton’s areas of concentration include tax preparation, planning and consultation for individuals, businesses, estates and trusts, business […]

  • Sat 25
    April 25, 2020 - April 29, 2020

    High Point Furniture Market Spring 2020

    High Point Market Authority 164 South Main Street, Suite 700, High Point, NC, United States
  • Tue 28
    April 28, 2020 - April 30, 2020

    APRO 2020 Legislative Conference POSTPONED

    This meeting has been postponed. Our commitment to the health and safety of our members and communities is our highest priority, as we have decided to postpone the APRO Legislative Conference, scheduled for April 28-30, 2020, in Washington, D.C. Read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) regarding the event. Visit the Legislative Conference website for more […]

  • Wed 29
    April 29, 2020 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

    Webinar | The Digital Reality: Business Survival Moving Forward

    The Digital Reality: Business Survival Moving Forward webinar at 2 PM CT on April 29, features speaker Lauren Talicska, Owner and President of LT Marketing, LLC. As the owner of LT Marketing and with her involvement in RTO marketing programs since 2008, Talicska's expertise is in lead generation and management, website solutions, and comprehensive print […]

  • May 2020

  • Tue 5
    May 5, 2020 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

    Webinar | Navigating FMLA and Employee Absence During the Pandemic

    Navigating FMLA and Employee Absence During the Pandemic webinar at 2 PM CT (3 PM ET) on May 5, features speaker Brian Farrington with Cowles Thompson. Reserve your spot in the webinar today by contacting info@rtohq.org. Space is limited. Available to APRO Members. Contact info@rtohq.org for the registration link. If you are not a current […]

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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.