May 8, 2007

LIVONIA-It was great to see two former MRA board members this morning and reflect on the rich Association history they not only represent, but helped create.

Ed Greenfield served on the MRA board in the 1980s. He, along with his wife, Faye, was the driving force behind the Association's successful campaign to change the fire safety laws in this state by requiring sprinkler systems in public accommodations. Everyone in this state owes the Greenfields a debt of gratitude for what they accomplished.

Ed and Faye served as our Livonia breakfast hosts. Despite being long-time shoe people-Ed as a tireless sales rep and Faye as head of the Michigan Shoe Travelers-they look like they could keep running their trades for 20 more years or longer.

The other former MRA director in attendance was Leonard Janssen, a former chairman of the board. Leonard's keen business mind always served the Association well, and he presided over the board just prior to our historic acquisition of the former Michigan Merchants Council.

The Council had represented most of the major national chain stores, not the Main Street retailers who belonged to MRA. Combining the two organizations in 1994 unified general merchandise retailers, at least in terms of legislative representation.

It was also great to see Dick Timkin, administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Dick and I had the chance to work together for several years when I served as chair of the agency's Small Business Advisory Council. In case you're not aware of it, SBA is the greatest source of loans for small businesses.

Appreciation and many thanks to all the other members who participated this morning, including Rex Tubbs, Lou LaChance and Tom Pietrowski.

On to Battle Creek this Thursday!

For additional information about a breakfast near you, contact Kammy Johns at 517.372.5656 or kjohns@retailers.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE
April 23: Ann Arbor	May 8: Livonia 10: Battle Creek 21: Cadillac	June 4: Sault Ste. Marie 5: Marquette 6: Escanaba 7: St. Ignace 11: Birmingham 18: Wyandotte
July 16: Midland 30: Kalamazoo	August 6: Alpena 7: Traverse City 15: Port Huron	September 10: Grand Rapids 17: Bay City or Saginaw 20: St. Joseph 24: Brighton