Member Insurance hires Jay Brown

Cornelius, North Carolina-based Member Insurance Agency, Inc., provider of insurance to co-op and independent hardware stores, appointed Jay Brown as Account Ambassador.

In this newly-created role, Brown will be working with major retail businesses in the hardware store, lumber dealer, and building material dealer industries throughout North America. 

Brown retired from Do it Best Corp. in December 2016 after capping a career of more than 30 years in the retail home improvement industry. 

“We’re thrilled to welcome Jay,” said Scott Reynolds, CEO of Member Insurance Agency, Inc.  “Jay’s experience as a senior leader at Do it Best Corp. and his broad knowledge of the co-op hardware store industry make him an excellent person to fill this new and very important role.”

Brown joined Do it Best Corp. in 2004 as VP of merchandising before becoming VP of sales and business development three years later. During that time, he was instrumental in the development and implementation of numerous strategic, member-focused programs and other retail-performance enhancements designed to help current members grow their businesses while also attracting new members to the co-op. Brown also oversaw the Do it Best Corp. Retail Performance and INCOM Distributor Supply teams, as well as its International division and member services department

Prior to that, Brown worked for a 3-store chain affiliated with Our Own Hardware (who merged with Hardware Wholesalers, Inc. in 1998 to form Do it Best Corp.). He also spent 20 years at the Valspar Corporation in numerous leadership roles, including national sales and marketing manager and senior general manager.

As Account Ambassador, Brown will focus on growing the Member Insurance portfolio and relationships with independent retailers..