McDonough & Associates, a manufacturer’s rep agency serving the Michigan electrical market, announced that Mark Surmacz is retiring on April 28 after 35 years with the company.
Surmacz graduated from Detroit College of Business in 1984 and joined the company in 1988 to manage inside sales for B-Line.
Jim McDonough Sr., the founder of McDonough & Associates, commented, “His primary job was to help us grow our cable tray business. His success was great. He worked with our distributors, contractors, and OEMs in doing layout and technical advice where needed.”
Jim McDonough Jr., the president of the company, said that Mark has more product knowledge than anyone in the Rep industry. He managed all project and job quotes and watched B-Line grow to a dominant market share in Michigan. He is an “extremely hard worker, a great inside salesperson, and a lot of fun to be around.”
McDonough, Jr. also said that contractors would call Mark directly for help designing Cable Tray projects and for difficult applications. A common phrase heard from McDonough’s outside sales team when asked a difficult question: “Call Mark.”
“During my time at McDonough, I’ve learned a lot about business and life. Hopefully, I was able to teach someone along the way,” said Surmacz. “I always enjoyed the challenges of solving a customer’s problem, often resulting in an order. I’m thankful to have had some of the mentors that I did, especially Jim McDonough, Sr. Lifelong friendships were made and I’m grateful for that. My biggest success was meeting my wife Deanna. Together in retirement we look forward to traveling, golfing, cooking and fishing. At least I’ll do some fishing…”
The company invites everyone to join them on Surmacz’s last day for an open house to wish him well. April 28 from 10am-2pm at McDonough & Associates, 8640 Ronda Drive, Canton, Michigan 48187.
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Good for you Mark, enjoy your retirement. Maybe someday I’ll join you.