MIRA Staff & Consultants

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MIRA Staff & Consultants

MIRA STAFF

Ed Weglarz
MIRA President & CEO

Ila Konja
Bookkeeper

Ken Schulte
Director, Business Development & Vendor Liaison

Juan Escareño
Director, Government Relations & Community Outreach

Jim Green
Vice President, Program Development

AJ Abuhamdeh
Ohio Business Development

Mahasen Salman
Business Development

Mary Ann Yono
Business Development/Front Desk Administrator

Raneen Samona
Accounting Assistant

Ricki Wines
Event Coordinator/Publication Sales

Andrea Hesano
Event & Publication Assistant

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 the strongest organization we have in the area to help independent food retailers compete and level the playing field against our corporate competitors as well as having our voices heard in government.”

“Promoting membership to MIRA makes the organization stronger, which generates more influence in the marketplace as well as with the government. As retailers, we can accomplish a great deal more as a team than as individuals.

Marvin Yono
Alpine Marketplace, Linden MI
I believe in supporting MIRA. I love to read the Bottom Line and find out what’s going on in the industry and what new products are available. The rebate programs are also beneficial.

Jake Mio
Park Place Fine Wine & Spirits
This industry is in my blood, and I want to serve it to give back what it has brought me.”

“I learned the business from others who were successful and being on the board gives me a chance to communicate how to better serve the industry—as well as make more money—to those who don’t yet know how. It’s important to hand our knowledge over to those who are new or are taking over a family business. We need to ask them what their most important issues are and help them understand the return on investment they can realize through MIRA’s programs, which save them money through better group pricing on everything they buy and all of their business expenses.” “If people know what MIRA is fighting for, they will want to be part of it. And if we work together, we can raise our industry to the next level.

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

Ron Baxter
Great North Foods
This is my industry and MIRA serves this industry. I like being part of a successful organization and being involved in change and influencing new laws.”

“Without MIRA, who will fight for the retailer in Michigan and Ohio? MIRA is the voice for all retailers, and more numbers means a stronger voice. If more of us support MIRA and keep it successful, we will be able to fight more effectively.

John Denha
8 Mile Foodland, Southfield MI
It is vitally important for everyone to promote membership to MIRA so that the association can continue to provide great services to its members. This will enable them to serve as a cornerstone within their communities.

Percy Wells, II
Coca-Cola Refreshments, Belleville MI