---
title: "How I Got Here: Marc Lassalle"
id: "28650"
type: "post"
slug: "how-i-got-here-marc-lassalle-2"
published_at: "2015-06-01T06:50:48+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-03-16T14:04:00+00:00"
url: "https://associationsnow.com/2015/06/01/how-i-got-here-marc-lassalle-2/"
markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2015/06/01/how-i-got-here-marc-lassalle-2.md"
excerpt: "Marc Lassalle, the associate director of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Kansas City in Overland Park, Kansas, knows a thing or two about customer service—oh, and being a lifeguard."
taxonomy_category:
  - "Career Development"
taxonomy_post_tag:
  - "AssociationsNow"
  - "Business"
  - "Career Development"
  - "Leadership"
  - "personal growth"
taxonomy_content_format:
  - "Article"
taxonomy_role:
  - "Director"
taxonomy_persona:
  - "Association Professionals"
---

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 » How I Got Here: Marc Lassalle

> A great deal can be gained through the skill of listening and observation rather than simply reacting.

## Marc Lassalle, the associate director of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Kansas City in Overland Park, Kansas, knows a thing or two about customer service—oh, and being a lifeguard.

Marc Lassalle didn’t think he would wind up an association executive when he started out as a lifeguard more than 25 years ago. But along the way he learned lessons that made him the leader he is today, including his favorite: “Don’t mistake comfort in a position with success. Challenge yourself beyond that comfort in order to truly achieve success.” Here are highlights from his career journey.

A Working History

**1986–1988:** Lifeguard for Morale, Welfare, and Recreation program, U.S. Armed Forces

**1989–1992:** Retail customer service while in college

**1993–1998:** Customer relations for Chrysler

**1998–2004:** Customer relations for FedEx

**2004–2007:** Membership coordinator and chapter liaison for ARMA International

**2007–2013:** Member services and social media manager at the World Waterpark Association

**2013–:** Associate director at the Mechanical Contractors Association of Kansas City

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Tags: [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/)
 [#Career Development](https://associationsnow.com/tag/career-development/)
 [#Leadership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/leadership/)
 [#personal growth](https://associationsnow.com/tag/personal-growth/)

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