Smooth sailing and following seas
by Larry Meyer
MRA Chairman and CEO

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life,” says journalist and author Melody Beattie. For me, there’s nothing like retiring to help me recognize how full life has been and how important gratitude is.

After months of thanking the many people I work with, I want to use my final column to express my deep gratitude toward the people I work for: the MRA Board of Directors, both current directors and the many past directors.

At October’s Michigan Retailer of the Year award luncheon, the board presented me with an amazing thank-you gift: a replica of the swift boat I skippered back in my Navy days. Now is my chance to share just how perfect a memento that was for me.

A good board is concerned with the smooth sailing of the organization it directs. And I have had the pleasure of working for some truly dedicated directors, who deserve my gratitude and the respect of all their colleagues.

Over the years I’ve worked for more than 50 directors total. Some have passed; many are still friends, as I realized in my breakfast meetings all over the state this summer and fall.

These men and women have come from a variety of (mostly) retail businesses, from shoes and jewelry to furniture and gifts. And they have come from every region of the state.
In addition to being business leaders, they are community leaders. More than one has been a Michigan

Retailer of the Year, and many more contribute to their downtown organizations, school boards or foundations at universities or hospitals.

As for our Association—these men and women have ensured the integrity of MRA. They have advanced the need for the Association to grow and prosper, and followed up by giving it the tools to make it possible.

Speaking of integrity—the Association’s financial integrity has been absolutely fundamental to its success and my own.

Credit for that goes to Jean Sarasin, who started as a bookkeeper here back in 1981 and rose to become a vice president and now executive vice president of operations and finance.

Under Jean’s watchful eye as manager of finances, our operating revenue has grown from about $700,000 to $9 million. Her careful attention to the numbers has made for smoother sailing over the years.

The board’s last assignment to me was to create a seamless transition of leadership, which is happening as I write. With a smooth and well-prepared transition, the organization will be able to continue to grow as it has for the past 35 years.

I am grateful that the Association has Jim Hallan at the helm as its next president and CEO. Jim and I have had a team approach for many years, and our shared understanding of the Association’s values and core mission gives me peace of mind and a sense of excitement about the Association’s future.

Jim has understood and guided the operations of the Association for years and has positioned MRA for future success. I have every confidence in the world in his capable leadership.

Following the Navy tradition, I wish you all—members, staff and directors—smooth sailing and following seas.