Association of Progressive Rental Organizations

Membership Benefits

When you become a member of APRO, you gain access to essential support and opportunities that empower your company and employees to thrive in the rent-to-own industry. Join us to connect, grow, and make an impact alongside a community dedicated to advancing our industry.

PublicationsNon-MembersMembers
Industry News ArticlesXX
APRO Today: Weekly Email NewsletterX
RTOHQ: The MagazineX
      Current Digital IssueXX
      Printed IssueX
      Digital ArchivesX
      Searchable Magazine Article Index (Coming Soon)X
Networking OpportunitiesNon-MembersMembers
RTO World: National RTO Convention & Tradeshow
RTO World, hosted by APRO and TRIB Group, is the ultimate rent-to-own experience and the biggest industry event of the year! Connect with industry leaders, explore new opportunities, and be part of the excitement.

*Dealer attendees are not required to be members.

**To attend, exhibit, or sponsor RTO World, vendors must be members of APRO and/or TRIB Group.

Learn more about RTO World
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APRO Legislative Conference
Each year, our presence in the nation’s capital helps shape the future of our industry and strengthens our relationships with key legislators. By consistently showing up, we ensure that when the time comes to advocate for our industry, our legislators already know us, understand our concerns, and are ready to support us.

Learn more about the APRO Legislative Conference
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APRO Online Community (Coming Soon)X
Education & ResourcesNon-MembersMembers
RTO World: National RTO Convention & Tradeshow
RTO World, hosted by APRO and TRIB Group, is the ultimate rent-to-own experience and the biggest industry event of the year! Connect with industry leaders, explore new opportunities, and be part of the excitement.

*Dealer attendees are not required to be members.

**To attend, exhibit, or sponsor RTO World, vendors must be members of APRO and/or TRIB Group.

Learn more about RTO World
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Monthly Educational Webinars$99 eachX
Learning Management System (Coming Soon)X
Online Resource HubsX

  Legal Resource Hub The Legal Resource Hub is where you'll find a comprehensive collection of legal articles, legislative alerts, and essential resources to help you navigate the ever-changing regulatory landscape.

Visit the Legal Resource Hub
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  Cybersecurity HubThe Cybersecurity Hub is dedicated to providing you with the resources, knowledge, and tools you need to keep your business secure.

Visit the Cybersecurity Hub
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      Advocacy Hub (Coming Soon)X
      AI Hub (Coming Soon)X
      HR Hub (Coming Soon)X
      Industry Data & Research Hub (Coming Soon)X
      Mental Health Hub (Coming Soon)X
Market ResearchNon-MembersMembers
Annual Industry Health SurveyX
State Economic Impact ReportsX
Fast Five SurveysX
Industry Data & Research Hub (Coming Soon)X
APRO Charitable FoundationNon-MembersMembers
RTO Employees Disaster Relief FundX
APRO Scholarship FundX
MiscellaneousNon-MembersMembers
Industry Calendar of EventsXX
APRO Member DirectoryX
Industry Recognition & AwardsX
APRO Code of EthicsX
Additional Associate Member BenefitsNon-MembersMembers
Dealer Members Prefer to Support APRO MembersX
Discounted Advertising to APRO MembersX
Displaying Commitment to the RTO IndustryX
Ability to Attend, Exhibit, & Sponsor APRO EventsX

Additional Information

If you are a member, you will need to login to view the online content. All other member content can be requested by emailing info@rtohq.org

All employees at member companies are eligible for APRO membership. Not sure if your company is an APRO member? Check our APRO online Membership Directory.

Not a Member? Click below to join today and enjoy the benefits of being an APRO member!

Upcoming Events




Mike Lewis

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.