About Us  .....

          Michigan Researchers Associates (MRA) was formed in 1985 as an independent business to provide polling and constituent database development and maintenance services. MRA grew over the years, providing additional database products and expanded polling information to an increasingly diverse number of clients. When the partners undertook to devote their full time to the firm in 1993, they re-organized it as EPIC-MRA. The new name reflects the expanded services in Educational, Political, Industrial and Consumer Market Research Analysis.

          EPIC-MRA, the most quoted polling firm in Michigan, regularly cited by national news media, provides polling, consulting services and development of advertising, public relations and marketing for: school districts and community colleges; national, state and local governmental agencies; trade, professional and public interest associations; hospitals and health care providers; commercial clients; and partisan and non-partisan candidates.

Bernie Porn is president of EPIC-MRA, where his main focus is the writing, analysis and interpretation of survey data and demographic targeting, as well as the development of the communication strategies, including literature and advertising. 

             Porn worked on the Speaker’s staff of the Michigan House of Representatives from 1974 until December of 1992, holding the positions of Director of Special Projects (1986 - 1989) and  Director of  Communications and Public Affairs (1990 -1992). He worked extensively on the 1981 and 1991 Michigan’s legislative and congressional redistricting.

John Cavanagh serves as EPIC-MRA‘s Secretary-Treasurer. A member of the Michigan Bar since 1983, Cavanagh is the chief operating officer and administrator for the firm and also fills the capacity of general counsel.

            Cavanagh formerly worked as a staff member with the Michigan House of Representatives beginning in 1979, and concluded his work with the House as Director of Public Affairs in 1992.