Mark Bays joined ETSU’s Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) in February of 2011 as their Business and Technology Counselor and has since elevated himself to the Director position. In his role with the TSBDC, he has established himself as the go to person for social media and technology needs. Among his responsibilities are coordinating training events, upkeep of multiple social media sites and website for the department, providing semi-annual reports on the online activity for the TSBDC network, teaching various business-related workshops, aiding businesses with their technology needs and counseling both start-ups and existing small business owners. Some of the counseling activities include; assisting small business owners with developing their business plans, marketing plans, social media plans, financial planning, developing financial projections, technology troubleshooting, website analysis, market analysis, selecting business entities, reviewing and completing start-up requirements, purchasing/selling businesses, preparing for expansion and other various business-related activities. Mark has owned his own business and because of his success it was soon evident that he had a personal passion and a special gift for assisting others in becoming successful business owners. During Mark’s time as a business owner, he greatly understood the importance of assisting non-profits. He offered discounts to any non-profit needing his services as well as donating his time and technology talents. Mark graduated from ETSU with his M.B.A. and holds a BBA in management and marketing. Mark helped develop and serves as volunteer Co-Director for ETSU's Start up Resources Inspiring Veteran Entrepreneurship Program (STRIVE).Mark resides in Bristol, Tennessee, with his wife and three sons.