Association of Professional Rental Organizations (APRO)
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Fellowship Program

Bring Your Voice to Capitol Hill

Build your advocacy skills, connect with industry peers, and help lawmakers understand the people and businesses behind rent-to-own.

APRO’s Legislative Fellowship Program gives up-and-coming RTO professionals an opportunity to attend the 2027 APRO Legislative Conference, April 27–29 in Washington, D.C. Fellows gain firsthand experience with the legislative process and develop the confidence to represent their industry and communities.

Applications are open November 9, 2026–January 4, 2027.

Video courtesy of Nationwide Marketing Group

Fellowship Details

APRO will award 20–30 fellowships valued at $1,200* each for up-and-coming employees to attend this year’s Legislative Conference.

Each fellowship covers:

  • Conference registration
  • Hotel accomodations
  • Transportation to and from the airport


Airfare not included. APRO will make the fellows’ hotel reservations and register them for the conference. 

*Some state rental dealer associations may provide additional funding.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for a Legislative Fellowship, applicants must:

  • Work for an APRO member company
  • Have 15 years or less of RTO industry experience
  • Have never attended the APRO Legislative Conference
  • Confirm availability to attend with their supervisor
  • Commit to learning more about the RTO industry
  • Commit to sharing what they learn when they return home
  • Agree to complete APRO advocacy training

Note: If you are interested in sending someone to the Legislative Conference with 15 years or more of RTO experience who has not attended within the past five years, please apply instead for the Advocacy Partners Program. 

Fellows in Focus

Curious about what it’s like to be an APRO Legislative Fellow? Our Fellows in Focus series highlights the stories and experiences of past fellows, offering insights into their journeys at the APRO Legislative Conference. From personal growth to professional development, these stories showcase the impact of the fellowship program and the value of legislative advocacy.

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Ready to Support the Next Generation of Industry Advocates?

APRO is currently seeking sponsors to help fund this important fellowship program for 2027. Your support helps cover costs for promising RTO professionals to attend the Legislative Conference – building a stronger, more informed, and more unified industry voice. If you or your company are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact us at info@rtohq.org to learn more about available sponsorship opportunities.

Upcoming Events

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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.