MIRA Staff & Consultants

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MIRA Staff & Consultants

MIRA STAFF

Ed Weglarz
MIRA President & CEO

Karen Walker
Comptroller

Ken Schulte
Director, Business Development & Vendor Liaison

Juan Escareño
Director, Government Relations & Community Outreach

Jim Green
Vice President, Program Development

Mahasen Salman
Business Development

Mary Ann Yono
Business Development/Front Desk Administrator

Raneen Samona
Accounting Assistant

Clay Jankowski
Event/Publication’s Promoter

Andrea Hesano
Event Coordinator/Publication Sales

MIRA CONSULTANTS

Matt Miner
Michigan Lobbyist
Capitol Strategies Group

Terry Fleming
Ohio Lobbyist
TC Fleming & Associates

Morrill & Fiedler, LLC
Illinois Lobbyist

Tamar Lutz
Graphic Designer
Tamar Designs, LLC

Vanessa Denha
Magazine Writer
Denha Media Group

UHY-MI
Certified Public Accountant

MIRA is very instrumental in trying to partner with vendors in trying to get better protection on pricing in as many ways as they can.

Jim CicorelliFrank's Food Mart, Potterville MI

MIRA sources things we don’t, like insurance, and that gives us an opportunity to present those resources and services to new customers.

Ron BaxterGreat North Foods

MIRA did a great job on the food stamp initiative in 2010, and I’m grateful for that. However, we’re not done, and more than the next couple of years, I want to see payments released to food stamp recipients bimonthly.”

“As one strong voice, we can support initiatives that will enable us to compete with national chains such as Walmart, Kroger, and 7-Eleven or fight legislation that will hurt us.

Bobby HesanoD&B Grocers Wholesale, Livonia MI

It’s rewarding to be part of an organization that is trying to pool resources to compete with the chain stores, such as the programs that have been endorsed by our committees. They help bring in savings with companies that otherwise would never have been presented.” “With more voices comes more success, because the stronger in numbers and participation in our organization, the more viable we become with politicians in our states to bring about positive legislation for our industry, as well as having more leverage in the vendor community to help make us more competitive and profitable.

Phil KassaHearland Marketplace, Farmington Hills MI

According to MIRA we are their biggest member on the Dairymens rebate program. The coupon program is also a big help to us, and the rebate for a preferred wholesaler company makes a big difference to us because, as a small independent store competing with other chains, it puts us on the same level playing field.

Sam TahaMini Mart, Cleveland OH

Even though we’re not affected by the meat labeling law because we’re small and everything comes directly from the farmer, we rely on the information MIRA provides and how much they try to help small businesses,” “We appreciate the programs, too, but the way they work to keep us updated and protect us from taxes and regulations is the most important.

Mike EnsingVan Ball's Prime Beef