Mark is a 1976 graduate of Highline High School in Seattle, Washington and a 1982 graduate of Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington.  Mark earned his law degree (J.D.) from Gonzaga in 1986 and was admitted to practice law in the State of Washington in November of 1986.  Mark went to work as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Spokane County in July of 1987 and he is currently a Senior Attorney assigned to the Drug Unit.

Mark and his wife Linette adopted their daughters Anna and Maria from Russia in 2003.  They are members of St. Charles Borromeo Parish where Mark is a 3rd Degreee Knight of Columbus and Linette serves on the Pastoral Advisory Council.  Mark, Linette, Anna and Maria share their home on 14 acres south of Spokane with llamas, cats and dogs.