John Mayleben CPP, is MRA senior vice president technology and new product development and a national expert on electronic payment processing. He is the first person in Michigan and among the first in the nation to receive the Certified Payments Professional designation from the national Electronic Transactions Association.
In the immortal words of the father of English literature, Geoffrey Chaucer, “All good things must come to an end…”
Since that was a statement from the tragic story of a couple during the siege of Troy, I have put a more positive spin on it: “All good things must end, to make space for better things to happen, because the best is yet to come.”
Which is also my way of saying that after 30 years, 9 months and 22 days, I am retiring from Michigan Retailers Association at the end of this month.
Well, sort of retiring, as I’ll explain in a moment.
Great Ride
Who would have thought I’d be lucky enough to have my first job out of college turn into such a wonderful career in both association management and the payments industry?
It has been a pleasure helping retail grow stronger in Michigan. And it has been a great ride as Michigan Retailers has grown its merchant processing program from one state and $30 million in annual volume to all 50 states and $1.2+ billion (yes, billion with a “b”).
During that time, I have had the pleasure of being part of the team that was able to turn MRA into a nationally recognized leader in the merchant processing business. The team has positioned the organization to be a leader with both Michigan-based associations and all of our 50 sister organizations representing retail interests across the nation.
While here at MRA, I have witnessed merchant processing evolve from “knucklebusters,” warning bulletins and carbon slips to electronic terminals that take a chip card or allow you to use your smartphone to make a payment.
My tenure here has covered an amazing span of innovation and change.
Next Corner
While I am sure there will be many things I will miss, at the top of the list are all the wonderful members of MRA and my co-workers.
In the 30+ years here, I have been able to share the good times with co-workers I consider both friends and family. I also have become friends with many of you, our members, and appreciate all of the time spent helping you with various issues about retailing and merchant processing.
But I am also excited to see what is around the next corner in this grand journey we call life. For those who are curious, I am going to spend the next few years (at a minimum) traveling North America in my RV (named RVTHERE).
My late wife, Linda, and I started RVing about 15 years ago. I plan to see, up close, some of those sights that I have spent the last 30 years flying over, or driving past, while on my way to business meetings.
There will probably be some volunteer work in the future – maybe service as a docent at a history museum or lighthouse somewhere.
I’m also looking forward to spending more time with both of my daughters, who have relocated to Texas, as they continue on their own career paths.
I will watch, with excitement, the future growth and development that you all, as members, create with my coworkers at MRA in the coming years.
I hope that someday I can say, “I was there in the beginning…”
New Role
And although I am retiring from MRA, I’ll still be available to provide assistance to members and the MRA team.
One of the ways I will continue to help, and at the same time scratch the “itch” of missing everyone, is to take on a new role as consultant to MRA.
I’m happy to be able to continue to use my knowledge and experience to help members successfully navigate the complexities of the merchant processing arena and help MRA maintain its industry leadership position.
It’s also likely to include continuing to write this column about various aspects of technology and merchant processing.
So even though I am leaving MRA, I’ll continue to be in touch in a number of important ways.
And if you happen to have a long driveway, big backyard or large parking lot with an outdoor electrical outlet, as well as a landlord who allows RVs, don’t be surprised if I turn up at your business for a night or two.
Safe travels to all!
