Bio

Following graduation in 1971, Mark enrolled at Northampton Community College where he studied for and received an associates degree in commercial art. Although his plan following graduation in 1973 was to transfer and earn a teaching degree, that never came to fruition. Instead, Mark worked for about a year, then took a job with the Bethlehem Housing Authority, the agency administered the Federal low-income housing program for the city, providing affordable housing for nearly 10% of the city’s residents. Serving the needs of many thousands of seniors, the disabled and low-income families was personally and professionally satisfying, perhaps more so than expected. What began as an interim job in 1974 morphed into a 42-year career in public service. Mark’s career began in the maintenance department as a laborer. Within a decade, he was elevated to the management level of the department where he and another LHS ’71 graduate Gene Gonzalez combined their talents. Between 1983 and 2015, Mark and Gene’s careers would intersect beginning in the maintenance section and eventually as administrators in the central office. Mark retired in early 2016 as deputy director of the authority. Over the years, Mark has also served the local community as a longtime volunteer and board member for the Lehigh Valley’s radio reading service for the blind (RADPRIN), as a member of the public safety committee for Hanover Township, as an usher at St. Simon & Jude parish and as coordinator of his community’s Block Watch program. He also produced and hosted a one-hour weekly radio program on station WGPA beginning in 2001. Since his retirement, Mark has authored six books about Bethlehem, and has created a monthly podcast featuring the music of Frank Sinatra. These days, his company, MCI Media produces videos. Many may be seen on You Tube. In his spare time, Mark walks daily, plays golf incessantly, tends to his gardens and takes immense pride in the personal accomplishments in his life which includes a marriage of over forty years, his daughter and her family which includes his granddaughter. Also included among his proud accomplishments are the many friendships, many of whom have been part of his life since high school.