Mark is a 1978 graduate of Guntersville High School and earned his bachelor's degree from Jacksonville State University in 1982. After completing his master's degree in 1983, he joined Jacksonville State University in 1984 as Director of Recreational Sports, a position he held for 32 years until 2016.
In 2016, Mark was hired as Director of Officials for the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA), serving in that role until his retirement in December 2020. Throughout his career, officiating played a major role in his life. He officiated football, basketball, and baseball contests and was selected to officiate state championship games in both football and basketball.
Following retirement, Mark continued his involvement in athletics and currently serves as Executive Director of the Alabama Sports Officials Foundation. His contributions to sports and officiating have earned him induction into the AHSAA Hall of Fame, the Alabama Sports Officials Hall of Fame, and the Marshall County Sports Hall of Fame.
Mark has also dedicated many years to public service. In 2004, he narrowly lost his first Jacksonville city council election by a single vote. He was elected to the city council in 2008 and was later chosen as Jacksonville’s first council president in 2012. In August 2025, he was elected mayor and began serving in November of that year.
His commitment to the community extends to the Calhoun County Sports Hall of Fame, where he helped establish the organization as its vice president. He later served as treasurer before taking a leave of absence during his tenure in Montgomery. After retiring, he returned to the Board of Directors and currently serves as treasurer.
Mark's lifelong dedication to athletics, officiating, public service, and community leadership has left a lasting impact throughout Alabama.