From Sales Leader to Strategic Architect: The Return of Jason Marsdale

A Return Rooted In People, Purpose, and Growth

Some journeys come full circle. After previously helping shape Monroe Systems for Business' current digital presence, Jason Marsdale has returned to the team, this time with new perspectives and experiences gained along the way. I caught up with our new Director of Strategy to talk about what drew them back, what's different, and what he's most excited about in this next chapter.

Great to have your back, Jason! What inspired you to return to Monroe?

Our people were a big driver. I feel like we all respect each other, know how to work hard, and know how to have fun. Even when I wasn't working at Monroe, I stayed in touch with many on the team and even coordinated a few meetups. Heck, I was asked to become a minister by Joe Amoriello, one of our previous employees, who wanted me to marry him and his wife. So yeah, our people are definitely at the top of my list.

I also realized how important it is to be truly passionate about what I'm doing. When I reached out to Monroe's owner to wish him a happy birthday, he asked if I'd ever consider coming back to the Monroe family, and I immediately said I'd love to hear more. I told him I hadn't felt the same connection elsewhere and that he's still the only boss who sends a handwritten birthday card. It's the little things that remind me of the kind of people Monroe has.

Ultimately, I felt like there was unfinished business here, and now I know I'm right where I belong.

How did it feel when walking back through the doors on your first day?

It felt like I was right where I was supposed to be. It was great seeing all the smiling faces I'd grown to miss, as well as some new ones, like Gabby, who joined Monroe over the summer. In some ways, it felt like I hadn't missed a beat. I was reinvigorated, happy, and excited to be back, ready to do a lot of observing and listening to what the team has been working on.

What are you most excited to dive into now that you're back?

I'm most excited to dive into creating growth strategies for Monroe. Doubling down on our strengths while finding new and exciting opportunities to expand what we offer.

What skills or experiences have you gained since you left that you're bringing to the team now?

Since leaving Monroe, I've gained a wealth of experiences that I'm thrilled to bring back.

My time selling ServiceNow software and implementation services exposed me to unbelievable software and world-class training, providing a different set of sales tools that will continue to help me drive business here. I drove sales and client relationships with key accounts, including Vanguard, Space Telescope Science Institute, Brown Advisory, Boomi, and others. I earned five partner sales certifications and completed their Shark Camp for Partners program.

At Brown's, I spearheaded transformative growth by leading the acquisition and integration of Di Bruno Brothers, a storied high-end specialty retailer founded in 1939, renowned for its gourmet cheeses, meats, and Italian specialties. This bold move propelled the company into unfamiliar territories beyond traditional supermarkets, where I made high-level decisions to craft a successful roadmap for digital transformation, operational optimization, and e-commerce expansion, driving diversification and long-term sustainability. These experiences taught me invaluable lessons in building businesses that scale to thousands of employees, with a heavy emphasis on processes, effective delegation, and self-management to support large teams, serving employees through strong problem-solving and feedback to empower everyone for greater impact.

At MMP and PSCo, key achievements include spearheading the implementation of Entrata CRM and Eli+ AI, which drastically reduced costs and time by streamlining leasing, payments, and renewals. I championed data-driven strategies, leveraging Entrata's analytics and the Colleen Console to monitor occupancy, leasing trends, and receivables, while promoting a growth mindset culture through daily team check-ins, weekly performance reviews, and monthly special projects like rent roll audits and investor reporting.

My leadership there focused on transforming distressed assets into thriving communities by leveraging better data for informed decisions, negotiating vendor terms, optimizing tech security, driving cost-saving initiatives, and enhancing resident experiences. I also prioritized team alignment, mentoring members at all levels, and fostering cross-departmental collaboration through town halls and team-building initiatives.

Combined with my original 7.5 years at Monroe, these experiences give me fresh perspectives and proven tools to help take us to new heights.

What did you miss most about working here?

What I missed most was our incredible people, the mutual respect, hard work, and fun we share. Staying in touch even while away, coordinating meetups, and maintaining personal connections, such as officiating a former colleague's wedding, reminded me of that family feel. I also missed the genuine connection and little touches, like the owner's handwritten birthday cards, that make Monroe special. Ultimately, it was that sense of belonging and unfinished business here that drew me back.

Is there anything you would like to share with our customers?

Yes, if there are products you'd like to see Monroe make or sell, please let me know! We have a long history of strong customer service that's built lasting relationships, and your input is invaluable.

I look forward to connecting with many of our customers personally to gather direct feedback on what we're doing well and what we're planning next.