The Agent Channel's First Hero - John Marsch

Over a decade ago, before the term "agent channel" existed, before the first "agent trade show" was produced, when TelecomAssociation was the infant "OPAA" (One Plus Agent Association),  before we as agents saw anything special in ourselves, John Marsch saw something special in us.

John Marsch believed in agents so much that he saw to it that TMC became one of TelecomAssociation's first vendor members back in 1996. Back when agents weren't sure where they rated in the lucrative telecom service distribution food chain, John was hosting lavish agent parties in his penthouse apartment overlooking San Francisco Bay and ushered agents about in limousines partying into the wee hours of the morning. 

Ten years ago when I was first starting the agent association, John Marsch flew his jet down to San Diego and sat in my small office. Back then I had a reasonable amount of confidence in myself and my abilities but I secretly knew I wasn't a "big dog". That all changed the day John Marsch looked me in the eye from the visitor's side of my office desk. He knew he was in a dumpy little office - but he took no notice of it. He knew I was new to the association business - but that didn't seem to matter. Before I knew the association would be able to make payroll for even one more month John Marsch knew it would. TelecomAssociation is what it is today because 10 years ago John Marsch got in his plane, flew down to San Diego to see me, looked me straight in the eye and said, "Dan, I'm here because you're here. Agents need an association and if you're here to start it, I'm here to support it."  Wow!

That's the way John Marsch was, and still is for me. Every time I saw John or spoke to him on the phone I felt like I was communicating with a person who genuinely respected me. John respected agents before they respected themselves. John always treated agents like his peers. Ten years ago all of us agents seemed like a bunch of goofy, awkward teenagers who had accidentally stumbled into the real business world. John never laughed at us or made us feel inferior though. Because of the way John Marsch and TMC treated us as agents and as fellow human beings, we're no longer goofy & awkward. In the most respectful way possible John showed us how to act and behave as grownups and budding entrepreneurs. I can't help but believe that John's looking down on us now with more than just a little bit of pride.

John Marsch's belief and respect in me changed my life. In his memory I shall double my effort to pass that belief and respect on to the people I meet in my life. I will miss you John and I will look forward to meeting you again some day.

Dan Baldwin, President
TelecomAssociation