Mark’s first five years were spent in Rogers Park on the north side of Chicago. It was there that he developed a love for gardening, experienced his first encounter with crime, and discovered his dislike for school. As he grew older, he lived in Morton Grove and later in Uptown Chicago, where he met the incredibly amazing love of his life at first sight—his wife, Nuri. During that time, he also encountered gang members and crooks, met pimps, and even witnessed someone die right in front of him. He managed 500 apartment units in that intriguing neighborhood.

Throughout his life, he has worked at 22 different jobs or careers. His experiences range from charging kids to race HO cars and visiting their nature zoo of insects at the age of nine to owning his own business and working as an engineer at the county morgue. He attended Oakton Community College and Southern Illinois University, earning both an Associate's and a Bachelor's degree.

He wrote a book titled “Dreaming in the Hut”. Mark is a proud father of three fantastic sons, each of whom has married exceptional women. The joys of their marriages have brought him and Nuri their greatest happiness—five wonderful grandchildren!

He has enjoyed a variety of activities such as fishing, hiking, water and snow skiing, and talking to people. This passion for conversation led him to found Bullfrog Entertainment while working on his podcast, *Sunset Conversations*. He also has a 4,000-gallon fish pond with a big old bullfrog that croaks happily day and night. Through his podcast and website, he hopes to showcase the importance of always looking on the bright side of life.