---
title: "How I Got Here: Marc Lassalle"
id: "12691"
type: "post"
slug: "how-i-got-here-marc-lassalle"
published_at: "2015-07-13T15:56:00+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-03-15T00:13:47+00:00"
url: "https://associationsnow.com/2015/07/13/how-i-got-here-marc-lassalle/"
markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2015/07/13/how-i-got-here-marc-lassalle.md"
excerpt: "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..."
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  - "Career Development"
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  - "Leadership"
  - "personal growth"
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  - "Article"
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  - "Association Professionals"
  - "Early Career"
---

[Home](https://associationsnow.com/)
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 » How I Got Here: Marc Lassalle

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.

---

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

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

*—Mark Lassalle, associate director, Mechanical Contractors Association of Kansas City, Overland Park, Kansas*

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