Association of Progressive Rental Organizations (APRO)
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American Rental Helps Customers in Need 

Shane Tanenbaum (L) and David David (R) celebrate American Rental’s Scottsburg, Indiana, location, collecting the most items during the companywide food drive. 

Late last year – during the federal government shutdown and subsequent Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) payment delays and into the holiday season – Full-O-Pep Appliances Inc. dba American Rental found a couple of ways to help their customers through tighter times. 

First, the company launched a Customer Appreciation Payment Relief promotion, during which all American Rental customers received 50 percent off of their weekly payment on one rental agreement of their choice. The initiative provided an astounding total of about $75,000 in savings to American Rental customers. 

Then, for the holidays, the company held a companywide food drive, coordinated by American Rental Events Coordinator Vickie Blake, Store Manager Shane Tanenbaum, and Sales Specialist Leann Tanenbaum. 

Employees donated food, water, toiletries, and other essential items, with a store challenge added to the drive to put a little competitive pressure on. The store donating the most items was rewarded with a “Day of Shane,” eight hours of Shane Tanenbaum working in their store in whatever capacity they choose – cleaning, furniture assembly, deliveries, etc. 

American Rental’s pre-holiday food drive totaled almost a half-ton of donated goods to neighbors in need.
Leann Tanenbaum poses with a ginger friend whose house overflows with essential items donated by American Rental employees. 

The food drive resulted in a total of 1,455 items, equaling 967 pounds of food donated, which all went to benefit Feeding America, the United Way, and Hoosier Hills Food Bank in Bloomington, Indiana. American Rental’s Scottsburg, Indiana, store location took the top spot to earn their Day of Shane! 

“We’ve served our communities for more than 45 years,” said President David P. David. “Supporting our customers during difficult times is part of who we are, and sometimes, a little help can go a long way.” 

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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.