Meet Richard Marsolais! Rich is the Business Development Director at McKee, Voorhees & Sease, PLC in Des Moines, Iowa, and the Immediate Past President of the Midwest Regional Board. Rich shares about his rescue dogs, why he enjoys volunteering with LMA, what’s on his travel bucket list, the best career advice he’s ever received, and more.
Tell us your story – where do you work and what do you do?
I am the Business Development Director for McKee, Voorhees & Sease in Des Moines, Iowa. We are a boutique intellectual property law firm that is coming up on our 100th anniversary in 2024. I handle all aspects of marketing and business development for a 21-attorney firm. This involves the creation and execution of strategic business development plans for both attorneys and practice groups with tactics that were easy to implement and track progress. Execution of research, pitch materials, presentations, responses to requests for proposal, marketing content management, marketing communications, events, sponsorships, and other general business development activities promoting the Firm’s culture and vision.
What do you enjoy most about being an LMA volunteer?
I really like connecting with my fellow LMA members and sharing ideas, commiserating, and helping each other to get things done in our work. I feel the best way to get the most out of your LMA membership is to get involved. Plus you meet some very wonderful people.
What travel spot is on your bucket list?
Hawaii. My wife and I talk about retiring there. Never have to worry about winter and I could wear those cool Hawaiian shirts.
What’s the best vacation you’ve ever been on?
I have two great vacations that we recently took for my family. The first one was staying a week at a cottage on Grand Traverse Bay in Northport, Michigan in the Leelanau Peninsula in August 2016. I was there with my wife, two children, and niece. It was so relaxing being able to be on the water and the absolute quiet we enjoyed. Plus the area is rich with cherry farms, wineries, and breweries. The second vacation was in August 2019 when my wife and I traveled through the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and then went completely around Lake Superior. The scenery was breathtaking and we enjoyed meeting some great people and eating at some amazing restaurants that dotted the landscape.
Rich’s wife Laurie in Grand Marais, Minnesota, on a 2019 trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan around Lake Superior
Rich’s children Will (left) and Leah (right) with his niece Olivia (middle) at the State Park on the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula on Lake Michigan
A photo Rich took of a sign that is the beginning of U.S. 41 at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula in Michigan on Lake Superior
What book are you currently reading?
The Complete Memoirs of General Ulysses S. Grant. It is written in conversational prose making it an enjoyable read, You learn much more than you are taught in History about someone who literally save our country from the civil war.
What was your first live concert?
Billy Joel in 1978
What’s your favorite movie?
The Godfather. Love the plot and the code of organized crime.
Do you have any pets? If so, what’s your favorite thing about them?
2 rescue dogs. My favorite thing is how well they get along and play with each other for hours.
Rich’s rescue dogs Sadie (standing) and Oscar who are the 4th generation of pooches since he and his wife were married 37 years ago.
Rich’s “grand dogs” Bourbon and Scotch who belong to his daughter
Tell us something unique about your law firm or business.
We see some of the coolest inventions and creations by people of all ages. What they can think up just blows me away.
What’s the best career advice that someone has ever given you?
My dad told me to be nice to everyone you meet and genuinely care about what they are interested in since you will be remembered more for that than anything else.