Mark was born and raised in Grand Falls-Windsor. After finishing high school he completed the College-University Transfer Year at College of the North Atlantic Grand Falls-Windsor Campus before continuing on to Memorial University where he completed his Bachelor of Commerce (Co-op) degree and studies in Political Science. As part his studies he participated in the study abroad program where he studied business at Universität Paderborn, in Paderborn, Germany. After completing university and working in St. John’s, he decided to return home to Grand Falls-Windsor after the paper mill closed in 2009, because he wanted to contribute to the growth and success of his hometown after losing a major industry, where he currently resides and works in business development.

Community Involvement

Mark has always been a community volunteer and a community leader going back to his high school years. He was Youth of the Year for Grand Falls-Windsor and Sea Cadet of the Year for Newfoundland and Labrador. Mark is also the recipient of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award. At Memorial University he was nominated for the David Kirkland Student Leadership Award, and in 2013 he was nominated for Citizen of the Year for Grand Falls-Windsor at just 29 years of age.

His current involvements include:

* Officer with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets

* Executive Member of the Grand Falls-Windsor Cataracts Senior Hockey Club

* Executive Member of the Exploits Valley Cross Country Ski Club (Founding Member and past Vice- President)

* Volunteer Facilitator with Junior Achievement Newfoundland and Labrador

* Volunteer at Rogers TV

Political Involvement

Mark has had an interest in politics since volunteering on his first campaign in 1999 with MHA Ray Hunter in the district of Windsor-Springdale. He joined the PC Campus Association, PCMUN, when attending university where he eventually became the President, and later joined the Young Progressive Conservatives (YPCNL) where he served on the executive. Upon completion of university he worked briefly as a Constituency Assistant to Susan Sullivan and then as Executive Director of the PC Party of Newfoundland and Labrador. Upon returning to Grand Falls-Windsor, Mark joined the local district association where he served in various capacities including President, and then joined the Provincial Association in 2012 winning a contested nomination for Vice-President. In 2014 he was elected as PC Party President in another contested race.

Mark is no stranger to the world of politics. He understands the issues, the political process, policy development, and how to get results.