John Marshall

Senior manager, McGowen Hurst Clark Smith

Age: 36

Spouse: Kendra Marshall

Children: John, Rose and Daniel

Mentor: Father, John Marshall, president of Jerico Services

Four reasons he is a Forty: John was elected to the board of Prevent Child Abuse Iowa, eventually becoming the board president in 2021. During his tenure the organization has become more financially stable, hired a new executive director and developed a team that delivers first-class programing throughout Iowa. During John's involvement with Tools for Opportunity, the organization has trained over 100 woodworkers in Central America and delivered thousands of dollars’ worth of tools to these same woodworkers. The goal is to help these woodworkers develop skills that empower them to expand or sustain their business so they can provide for their families. 

What are your goals in your role at your company? My team’s goal is to expand our manufacturing and distribution client base. We are working towards being a statewide financial services industry leader within that market. We are also tasked with developing, growing and retaining our team that service these clients. 

What are your goals for your community involvement? I volunteer to create safe and happy childhoods for all Iowa kids as board president for Prevent Child Abuse Iowa. Children are our future. I guide, advise and work to sustain the nonprofit for the long term to ensure they can keep doing great work for years to come.

What's your biggest passion, and why? Helping kids and helping our community be a safe place for our kids. I grew up in a great home and fantastic community. I want my kids and the friends of my kids to say the same thing when they are in their mid-30s. The best way for our communities to grow is to make them welcoming and safe for our kids. 

What is it that drives you? I am very proud to be from Central Iowa. My parents had careers that could have taken them anywhere in the world and they chose to stay and raise a family in Central Iowa. I want my kids someday to feel the same pride that they are from Central Iowa and selfishly raise their families here as well. I want Central Iowa to be a place where you can have an outstanding career and family life. 

What are your future aspirations? There's nothing I do of greater importance or with larger impact than my work with Prevent Child Abuse Iowa. Right now, we're looking for funding to expand our community educational programming to focus on building resilience ― very important after these past years of social isolation for our kids.

Three hobbies: We are big sports fans. On Saturdays in the fall, you can find us in Iowa City cheering on the Hawkeyes. In the winter you can find us in Omaha cheering on the Creighton Bluejays. My kids are involved in youth sports. I love watching them play and compete. In the summer we spend as much time at the lake in southern Iowa as possible. 

Fun fact: Since we have been married, we have moved three times. I have yet to pack a single box. As a married couple, there are some things you cannot do together. I really dislike moving. My wife, Kendra, knows this about me, and as a CPA, the first part of the year is extremely busy. We have always moved in March. Kendra politely asks me to work a little longer at the office (stay out of the way) so she can ensure everything is moved and put away where it should at the new house. Where my skills lack, hers excel.  

One word to describe you: Thoughtful.

What is your wish for the Central Iowa business community? Focus on helping Iowa kids. The important thing to realize is that we adults are responsible for kids' development. Business leaders can promote and ensure that communities have access to high-quality mental health care. Provide support to our educational institutions and empower families to recognize and manage difficult emotions/events.   

Anything else you haven't addressed that people must know about you? Words of advice from my dad and mentor: It doesn't cost anything to be kind, look folks in the eye, and have honest conversations with people. We never know what people are going through, so be kind.  

What's one piece of advice that you would give to a young professional? Start by showing up. All great projects, initiatives and accomplishments begin with people showing up to help. Start small at first. Attend an event or make a phone call to an organization that aligns with your interest to see how you can help. We all have something to offer. Meaningful change does not happen overnight.  

What is one issue you would like to see Central Iowa leaders address? A focus on holistically supporting all Iowa families no matter their composition. Kids need well-funded, supportive school environments to grow and thrive; parents need increased flexibility in their careers to deal with the challenges that naturally come with being a parent; and everyone needs affordable health care ― including mental health care ― to prevent problems before they become unmanageable and prohibitively costly. Supporting Iowa families creates happy childhoods for Iowa kids.