Mark was born in Breckenridge, MN and attended Moorhead State University where he graduated with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Finance. He served the banking industry for 35+ years within the states of SD, ND, NE, CO, and MN. Mark retired in 2018 as the Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of BankWest, Inc., in Pierre, SD. He held this position since 2004 and was elected as a Director in 2011. Mark supervised the lending, sales and branch functions of all nine BankWest branches throughout the state of South Dakota. Mark’s community involvement starts with Team BankWest, which is a group of employees who volunteer their time each year on various community projects including: raising money for various community fundraising efforts, Meals on Wheels, stocking the shelves at the local food banks, etc. He has also held positions within the following clubs: Optimist Club, Habitat for Humanity, Elks Member, President – Huron Community Development Corporation, Board Member – Huron Clinic, President – Huron Sertoma Club and Board Member – Community Counseling. He has also been very active in his church and numerous hockey boosters clubs.