Charles Smitherman

Charles Smitherman, PhD, JD, MSt, CAE is CEO of the Association of Professional Rental Organizations (APRO) and co-author of The RTO Revolution: The Definitive History, Economics, and Advocacy of an Industry. He is a nationally recognized voice on the rent-to-own (RTO) industry, combining legal scholarship, executive leadership, and historical analysis to elevate understanding of consumer access models rooted in flexibility, dignity, and transparency.

Charles is also the founder and writer of RTO Insight Review, a publication dedicated to the history, law, economics, and public narrative surrounding rent-to-own. Through this platform, he examines regulatory developments, consumer perception, and industry innovation while challenging longstanding misconceptions about the RTO transaction.

Before leading APRO, Charles served as Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel, and Vice President at PTS Financial Services, advising RTO businesses nationwide. He holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia and both a Master of Studies and Doctor of Philosophy in Law from the University of Oxford. His work bridges policy, advocacy, and industry practice, positioning RTO within the broader American tradition of access-based commerce.

Charles’s work bridges law, policy, and industry practice, challenging misconceptions about alternative financial services and highlighting the structural advantages of access and options within American consumer life. Outside of professional pursuits, he is an active ultra runner and open water swimmer.