Mark has 25 years of hands-on experience with expertise across all areas of the real estate development cycle, retail|/wholesale, manufacturing, apparel, store operations and the event production/management industries.In 2010, Mark co-founded Northern Grade, a nationally recognized retail platform that focuses on brands that manufacture their products in the U.S. After curating, producing and managing 43 pop-up marketplaces around the country, including partnerships with GQ and Fashionista, Mark continued the evolution of Northern Grade by designing, opening and operating 8 unique concept stores primarily in NYC. A pioneer in the evolution of the retail experience, Mark has forged personal relationships with over 1000 diverse brands from all corners of the country. As a leader, innovator and relationship builder, Mark is comfortable in any role from the executive boardroom to chatting it up with customers on the floor. From analyzing complex financial spreadsheets to creative merchandising and design, he is a savvy negotiator known for his strong business development, managerial, problem solving and relationship building skills. Mark is also the co-founder of Pierrepont Hicks, a smaller independent label that manufactures men’s accessories, outerwear and footwear that has been featured in numerous publications, including the NY Times, GQ, Esquire and WSJ.Prior to his entrepreneurial endeavors, Mark was a Project Manager and Director in the real estate development and construction industries, where he was responsible for the management of dozens of construction projects as well as the acquisition and pre-development of several master-planned and hospitality projects for a boutique real estate investment firm.Mark has a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Arizona and an M.S. in Real Estate Development from NYU. He was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN and currently lives in NY with his two daughters and one insubordinate yellow lab, Jasper.