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  In
Memorium: John Marsch - The Agent Channel's First Hero 6/23/6
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.
Click
here to red the Phone+ notice of John's passing.
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