New marketing rep joins team

John Leahy of Traverse City is MRA’s new regional marketing rep for northern Michigan. He succeeds Brett Binkley, who moved on to a new opportunity in January.

Leahy’s territory includes all the Upper Peninsula and the northern Lower Peninsula above a line from Ludington across to Oscoda.

“My experience with MRA so far has been nothing but positive. It feels like a family here, but at the same time there’s a professionalism,” he said. He was also attracted to the Association’s long and stable track record.

“The low turnover of staff here says something,” he added. “It must be a good place to work if so many people have been here for 15 or 20 years.”

Leahy’s background includes work as an independent insurance agent and an underwriter with Lake States Insurance, experience that’s helpful in talking about the new Retailers Mutual Insurance Company.

He has also worked in retail sales and service and understands the concerns of the member businesses in his region.

He’ll also work closely with the community banks in the area to build relationships and generate leads for new members.

Leahy grew up in Farmington Hills, but fell in love with northern Michigan when his family vacationed near Petoskey each summer.

He moved to Traverse City after college and now lives there with his wife and three children, enjoying all the pleasures of northern coastal Michigan: golfing, sailing, hunting and fishing.

Leahy welcomes any current members in his region to contact him with questions or concerns, or just to introduce themselves. He can be reached at 800.366.3699 ext. 1219 or jleahy@retailers.com.