Getting to Know Our Madeleine Crouch & Co. Account Executive , CJ Marchain
ACIC events are engaging and entertaining because of the efforts from our co-chairs, the officers, the trustees, the committees, and the speakers, but the ACIC runs smoothly because of the work of our Madeleine Crouch & Co., Inc. (“MCC”) Account Executive and her team. If you have ever wondered who is the familiar, smiling face that you always see behind the registration desk at the ACIC conferences, then this article is for you.
Cathy Jo (“CJ”) Marchain is the ACIC’s Account Executive. She works for two accounts, one local to her in Texas and the ACIC. CJ has been on our account since she started with MCC back in September of 2016, when Cassie (whom many of you may remember) was our main Account Executive. At the time, CJ was just reentering the working world as her son Nolan was on his way to Kindergarten. She had a friend who already worked at MCC, and so it seemed like a natural fit. Then, when Cassie left MCC a few years ago to pursue another opportunity, CJ became our Account Executive, and it has been a pleasure to get to know her better since that time.
In her life, CJ says with a laugh “I have worn a lot of hats”. She has been a loan processor in the mortgage industry, she has been a sales analyst, and she has been a stay-at-home mom. The common thread, however, is that she has a passion for organizing. “That’s why I think I’m thriving where I am at now,” she explains, “I like being behind the scenes and orchestrating.” Just don’t ask her to go up on stage and be out front (except, of course, we ask her to do that anyway – don’t forget to download the Attendify App before the Spring Forum!).
Where is CJ when she is not behind the scenes of our organization making everything look effortless and efficient? She is dealing with her kids. “I’m basically a taxi,” she says. Her older son is off to college soon and so her current focus is on soaking up as much time with him as she has left. When Jackson heads off to Nashville for school this fall, it will be harder to see him as frequently as she sees her oldest child (Annabelle, 20), a sophomore at A&M only a few hours drive away from CJ’s house in Plano, Texas. CJ is not a Texas native, though she has lived in Texas for 20 years. Her heart, she explains, still lives with her Southern California roots.
CJ’s passions are her kids and local service organizations. She and 18 year old Jackson are part of a Young Men’s Service League and she has been a board member for the last 3 years. It’s a service focused organization where at least 10 of the service hours are required to be together with the parent and the child. “I’m going to miss doing that with him.” After he leaves she will of course remain busy with volunteering and taxiing around Nolan (now 7 years old) to his soccer and basketball games. CJ also recently joined another board of directors for a newly formed 501(c)(3) named Powersense, which is an organization geared toward getting deaf children interacting in the community surrounding Dallas.
All that said, CJ will be the first to remind you that hers is not the only face you will see at ACIC events or who is responsible for taking on much of our behind-the-scenes work. Caitlin Watson is in charge of membership matters, CLE filings and supports CJ in all things creative. Elizabeth Kirkendoll is new to MCC (about 6 months so far) and has a PhD in Musicology and can be counted on to help brainstorm and also know the right music for any situation. Sally Bishop is the ACIC Bookkeeper and, CJ says “helps to keep us honest.” Jody Henry is the office manager who manages the day-to-day for the MCC team so that they can focus on ours.
