Joe Jackson
Associate Vice President, Association Solutions, Chicago Office
1. How long have you been with MCI, and what did you do prior to working here?
I’m celebrating my fifteenth anniversary in December, having joined MCI as part of the 2019 acquisition of Sentergroup. I was originally hired to manage Sentergroup’s first association client back in 2005, the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, and I continue today as the executive director of that group. I’m also the chief staff executive for three additional MCI clients: the American Board of Medical Quality, the International Society of Appraisers, and the Editorial Council of The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Before MCI, I served as the executive vice president of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in Colorado for seven years, and before that I was an associate director and regulatory lobbyist for the AIA in California.
2. What do you do on a day-to-day basis in your job?
Aside from trying to focus on strategy and looking ahead, a big part of the executive director role is about managing relationships. I currently support four different organizations, each with their own boards, committees, and governance structure. They each have varied education and conference needs and require different levels of marketing and communication activities. The smallest has an annual budget of about $100 thousand, the largest just over $1 million. My days are rarely boring! There are always lots of balls in the air, fires to put out, and challenging volunteer leader personalities to maneuver around. But I couldn’t do my job if it weren’t for the outstanding group of talents that I am so fortunate to have on my teams.
3. What do you like best about working at MCI?
The thing I like best about working at MCI is the access to so many resources. Whether it’s the continual introduction of enhanced technology, the availability of information on all the different Teams channels and Yuzu, the ongoing CE opportunities, or the sharing of expertise among talents at all levels. If you have a question or need advice, you never have to go far for the answers. These resources contribute to our ability to do the best work we can on behalf of our client organizations.
4. What’s the last good book you’ve read?
I just started reading The Bill of Responsibilities, The Missing Sequel to the Bill of Rights by Beverly Inman-Ebel. I typically lean towards autobiographies, but when I learned Beverly is going to make a presentation to the MCI Client Leadership Team in December to discuss the principles behind her book, I decided to get a copy. I’m looking forward to her enlightenment on how we can all become more responsible in the way we relate to those who have different viewpoints than our own.
5. How are you modifying your holiday plans this year?
As many of us are doing, we’ve altered our typical Thanksgiving plans, opting for a quiet at-home dinner this year. I think what I’ll miss the most is the annual Thanksgiving potluck that the staff in our Chicago office has held for many years and sampling all the different kinds of appetizers, stuffing, sides, and desserts! The food is always awesome, but most of all I’ll miss the camaraderie of being with everyone face-to-face.
One of my favorite holiday traditions is decorating the outside of my home and yard with lights – lots of lights! I grew up doing this each year as a kid, and it’s something I enjoy continuing now. It feels good to help brighten the neighborhood, and maybe this year that’s more important than ever with so many of us spending the holiday season at home instead of traveling. It’s my small way to help spread the cheer.
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