An elegant evening of friendship, camaraderie and live entertainment while we recognize and honor MIRA’s past chairmen. An opportunity to network and reconnect with your colleagues in the food, beverage and petroleum industries. This event is open to all MIRA members. Sponsorship opportunities available. Cocktail Attire.
MIRA Honors Former Chairman Ronnie Jamil at the 2024 Chairman’s Dinner
By Epiphany Communications & Coaching*
As the song “A Good Life” by OneRepublic played, longtime Michigan retailer Ronnie Jamil took to the stage to accept the MIRA inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award during the 2024 MIRA Chairman’s Dinner at the beautiful Shenandoah Country Club in Michigan.
“When you accept a Lifetime Achievement Award, you admit you have lived a lifetime, not sure if that is a good thing,” said Jamil as the audience laughed. “Looking back at our industry, we can probably say we have lived many lifetimes with all the ups and downs in retail,” said Jamil. “I am deeply honored and grateful to accept the Lifetime Achievement Award from this great organization.”
A packed room attentively listened as Jamil acknowledged former chairman Jerry Yono, who attended the dinner, along with former president and CEO Joe Sarafa, both encouraged Jamil to run for the MIRA board.
“We are taking a night to honor someone who has been such an important part of the industry,” said Bill Wild, MIRA president and CEO, who served as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies. “This association started in 1910 with just a handful of butchers and downtown Detroit Meat Markets. They met regularly to talk about common business concerns, and it has since evolved into a multi-state trade association, representing independent retailers in the food, beverage and petroleum industries. We are honored to recognize Ronnie Jamil for what he has contributed to this association and the industry.”
“There are so many wonderful memories,” said Jamil. “The board retreats, whether we traveled for a weekend to Chicago or as they expanded to longer trips, even a cruise, they were always productive and fun. We created our strategic plans, and we bonded as a board. The friendships I have built over the years have been instrumental in my success and I am truly grateful to all the wonderful friends I have met. It’s been an extraordinary journey.”
Jamil acknowledged all the chairmen whom he worked with over the years including Sam Yono, Amir Al-Naimi, Frank Arcori, Nabby Yono, Mark Karmo, Bill Viviano, Sam Dallo, and Terry Farida who passed the gavel to Jamil, and he worked with four presidents Joe Sarafa, his younger brother Mike Sarafa, Jane Shallal and Auday Arabo. “All chairs and presidents had distinct styles of running the organization. I like to think I learned something from each of them,” said Jamil. “Although I have not worked for the current Chair Bobby Hesano, whom I am blessed to share three beautiful grandchildren, and the current President Bill Wild, I’m proud to say that both Bobby and Bill are doing a wonderful job.”
While Jamil thanked board members and friends, MIRA members lined up in the back of the hall to share on camera some favorite memories of the association and their love and respect for Ronnie Jamil.
Current chairman Bobby Hesano introduced his long-time friend and family member by marriage. “Our Association has been built on relationships and Ronnie Jamil has built many strong ones over the years,” said Hesano. “We’ve been business colleagues and friends long before we became family, I have the privilege of knowing Ronnie both professionally and personally. Ronnie has worked strategically not only in his business but for the industry, volunteering a lot of his time on MIRA. We honor him tonight, not only for his business success but equally for his dedication to independent retailers. Ronnie gets it. Not everyone truly understands what MIRA does for its members, but Ronnie does. He has been an advocate for this industry as long as he has been in business.
*Writers with Epiphany Communications & Coaching are content creators for Bottom Line.