GLEN ELLYN, Ill. — The Association of Independent Manufacturers’/Representatives, Inc.  (AIM/R) inducted Gregg Marshall, CPMR, and Tom Tiernan into its hall of fame during the organization’s 46^th annual conference.

Marshall, formerly with J.N. Marshall Inc., served as AIM/R president from 1998-1999.

Marshall’s dad started the J.N. Marshall agency in Colorado in 1949 and was joined by his brother in 1953. He came on board in 1986 to primarily focus on operations and finance. Together, the family built a successful agency with multiple offices covering the Rockies region. J.N. Marshall became Marshall-Rodeno Associated following a merger with Rodeno & Associates in the early 2000s.

During his time with AIM/R, Marshall identified four key cornerstones he had wanted to help the group accomplish: improve and increase the educational offerings of the association, take a more active role in the industry, promote the importance of the rep function across the industry, and improve the committee structure and operations.

Tiernan, employee of Tom Tiernan & Associates,

Tom Tiernan, CPMR, president of Tom Tiernan & Associates, served as AIM/R president from 2000-2001. Based in New Berlin, Wisconsin, Tom Tiernan & Associates also covers Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. His son, Michael, has joined the firm and is now represents the company’s third generation. Tiernan served in the military during the Vietnam War and, as he describes, was “patched up” by the Canadian medical team there. After returning home from service, he formed the agency in 1972. Former Haws executive Pat Kelly was one of the first who encouraged Tiernan to get involved with AIM/R.

“There was always so much good information that members could share between each other that really helped us grow our agencies,” Tiernan said. “Some of it was thought-provoking, open-your-eyes types of discussions, while some others were everyday operational practices.”

Tiernan said AIM/R’s multitrack conference program for larger and smaller reps was a significant benefit for agencies like his that he considered small firms.

“I never had a ‘big’ line,” he said. “I was always trying to pick up new business anywhere. Some reps drive by potential business every day; I’m the one who always stopped my car. Looking back, I’m proud to say that we worked hard and had fun doing it.”

Brian Morgan, senior vice president of industry and PR, AIM/R, said he was honored to be introducing these two gentlemen.

“Tom and Gregg were both very instrumental in AIM/R’s growth and helped elevate the group’s identity and respect within this industry,” he said. “In an era and an industry that are constantly changing and always ‘on the move,’ it’s important to remind ourselves that the AIM/R of today was built through the efforts of some very insightful, dedicated reps who believed in the value this association brought to their firms — and what it would bring to those who followed them,”

For more information, visit www.aimr.net.

Publication date: 01/07/18