The Mercer Island Reporter has hired a new advertising representative, Jay Reyna, who has been a salesman at the Bellevue Reporter since April 2008.

Where were you born, and where did you grow up?

Bellingham, so I’m a local boy.

EDUCATION: Washington State University, Bachelor of Arts in business and marketing, 1992.

Tell us about your family:

I have one brother, who lives in Bellingham. I have two boys, Orion Fury Reyna, age 3 1/2; and Achilles Maximus Reyna, 2. My wife, Theresa, and I met on a blind date at the Blue Water Bistro in Seattle. We got married in 2002.

Why did you choose to enter a career in sales?

I’ve always been a salesman — I think it chose me. The first thing I remember selling as a kid — I used to walk into neighbors’ yards and pick their flowers, walk up to their door and ask them if they would like to buy the flowers.

I worked at the Bellingham Herald, as a kid, to sell newspaper memberships in high school.

What skills do you need to be an ad rep?

A good smile, and just having fun. That’s key; people don’t want to talk to someone if they’re not having fun.

And genuine interest — I like to listen to people talk.

What is your favorite part of your job?

The freedom of going out and talking to people all day long. If you’re social, that’s a fun thing to do.

What would you like people to know about your job?

It’s interesting, all the different businesses you run into out there. I went to this one, they make stories onto CDs and they did Sherlock Holmes, and (the owner) gave me a whole bunch. It’s cool, it’s fun. The bike shop here — the owner offered to fix my bike for free, so there are advantages.

(You get to) meet the owners and chit-chat.

What do you do in your spare time?

Hang out with the kids. I’m going to start coaching my son’s soccer team for the YMCA: Icers FC Football Club. I’ve coached in the past before.

What is your favorite thing about Mercer Island?

There are so many places you can disappear at — it’s like where I grew up, with woods all around, when I go to the South end.

I look forward to working here; I think it will be fun.