With over 19 years of successfully leading and marketing community initiatives, Mark brings a wealth of expertise and passion to his work. Working with diverse stakeholder groups, in both the public and private sectors, Mark has fostered a number of international, national, provincial, and regional projects.
Mark’s portfolio includes providing guidance and strategic planning to post-secondary institutions in the areas of corporate and community relations, media relations, athletic programming and content, strategic partnerships and alliances, fund development, and event coordination. Of significance, a project that includes the creation, guidance, and stewardship of a post-secondary advancement team that successfully implemented a $70 million capital campaign. With his strong marketing, communications, and strategic planning skills, Mark has managed the operations of a professional sports franchise and experienced building a franchise “from the ground up”.
A strong community advocate, Mark has built lasting relationships with international organizations. Mark also brings strong board governance and policy setting skills through his work with various boards including First Calgary Financial, where he served 8 years as a director and 4 years as Chairman of the Board. A $2.8 Billion dollar company, First Calgary Financial has been recognized as one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies.
As an industry sector advisor, Mark has assisted several Partnership Group – Sponsorship Specialists™ clients including the City of Edmonton, City of Kelowna, Grant MacEwan University, Evergreen Park, SIAST, World Vision Canada, and The Boys and Girls Club.
For 17 years, Mark enjoyed a very successful career in the Canadian Football League, winning 3 Grey Cup Championships receiving CFL’s Man of the Year Award twice for dedication on and off the football field. A graduate of the University of South Dakota, Mark and his family reside in Kelowna, BC.