Association of Progressive Rental Organizations (APRO)
Search is changing, and so is the consumer. In this session, wowbrands CEO Ryan Krass will break down how AI is changing the way people discover, evaluate, and decide where to buy. From zero-click searches to AI-generated answers, the old rules of SEO no longer work the way they used to. We’ll discuss what this shift means […]
Speaker: Dave Arnold, e-Coast Systems Phishing attacks are more sophisticated than ever – hackers now target both passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA) tokens. In this eye-opening session, e-Coast Systems Founder Dave Arnold will demonstrate a live phishing attack and reveal how criminals trick users into handing over critical login credentials. You’ll also learn practical strategies […]
Back by popular demand, here’s your chance to catch some of the hottest sessions from RTO World 2025! You’ll get knowledge drops from three of the most popular sessions and experience a knowledge flashback like no other. Get pumped and get registered for this beloved tradition! This year’s encore lineup features: Will Jackson, RNR Tire […]
Speaker: Justin Hosie & Dailey Wilson, Hudson Cook LLP Don’t miss this live, interactive Legal Town Hall where our legal experts – Justin Hosie & Dailey Wilson – will address your pressing questions about the rent-to-own (RTO) industry. From navigating complex compliance issues to managing contracts and minimizing risk, this session offers practical, real-world insights […]
Speakers: Larry & Steven Carrico, SKC Enterprises Inc. dba Rent One and RNR of Missouri LLC dba RNR Tire Express Larry and Steven Carrico will share how, over the past 30+ years, their team has created over 750,000 square feet of rental assets throughout the Midwest. It all started with a fire in 1996 and […]
Speaker: Charles Smitherman, APRO CEO NOTE: This webinar is only for those attending APRO’s 2025 Legislative Conference in April and is required viewing. If you haven't already registered for Legislative Conference, you may do so by clicking here. Join us for this advocacy training webinar designed to equip you with the tools and strategies needed […]
Speaker: Katie Marie Meyer As a business owner, Human Resources (HR) is key to building a thriving company. Katie Marie, a former HR Director for an RTO company, has made a career out of helping lots of companies improve their HR function. She will share some of the best practices she’s seen and learned to […]
Step into the future and discover how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the business landscape in 2025. Our collection of speakers will walk through the latest AI technologies (some golden oldies and some newbies!) and their practical application from automating routine tasks to revolutionizing customer experiences. Whether you’re a small business owner or a corporate […]
Speaker: Mike Helton; Rivero, Gordimer & Company, P.A. Unlock the true potential of your business by gaining a deeper understanding of its value and financial health. This webinar will share the key elements of valuing your business: focusing on financial statements, profitability, cash flow, and long-term growth potential. Rivero, Gordimer & Company P.A. Tax Shareholder […]
Join APRO Wage and Hour Attorney Brian Farrington for an important webinar on navigating the evolving Department of Labor (DOL) rules and wage and hour considerations. Designed for rent-to-own dealer owners and HR professionals, this session will provide the guidance you need to adapt to ongoing changes and uncertainty. Recent developments, including a significant court case blocking […]
Learn the untold secrets of effective marketing strategy in Esquire Advertising’s upcoming presentation, "Marketing Tactics and Hidden Secrets No One Tells You." Esquire Advertising Founder Eric Grindley and Sales Executive Adam Ball will paint a vivid picture of everyday challenges faced by businesses, such as stagnant foot traffic and the struggle to garner online reviews, […]
It’s time to stop being waiters and start being hunters. From around the corner to top of mind, Andrew Hajduk, President of Vox-Pop-Uli, has strategies to help you cultivate customers and raise your local awareness. After blowing everyone away with helpful marketing tips and tricks in his RTO World session, we’re repeating and expanding it! […]
You’re Invited to join the Best of RTO World 2024 Webinar, featuring speakers from the education sessions you may have missed or just want to learn more from! We’ll host four speakers serving their best nuggets in this one-hour mini-recap that will supercharge your learning! Joe Fischer, Eagle Rental-Purchase Money Ball: How to Fill the Holes in Your […]
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!
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!).
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.
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.
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.
