DETAILED VERSION:

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Mark Mills promotes prosperous communities through leadership engagement and public persuasion training that prepares future civic, public and influence leaders and communicators to bring new ideas, new vision and new solutions to stubborn community problems, allowing people to flourish, prosper and thrive. 

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Since 2008, Mark has collaborated with business, civic, leadership and professional organizations in diverse markets — including Orlando (the first program), San Diego, and the nation of Belize — to develop and deliver customized leadership engagement and communications training that “builds the bench” of future leaders who are prepared and positioned to elevate their business or professional experience to make a difference. 

 

To date, nearly 36 million people have been impacted by graduates who have gone to serve their communities, including local and legislative elected and appointed leaders.

 

Mark also conducts public speaker and messaging training for leaders who want to build a following.  He also provides strategic consulting for businesses and organizations and solution-focused public speaker/messaging coaching for senior executives.  

 

Prior to leadership training, he had considerable public-persuasion experience in business and public affairs and on high-profile political campaigns, primarily in media relations and communications roles, and in government service, including nearly 10 years on the staff of United States Senator Connie Mack of Florida (retired) and his campaign, serving as communications director, media spokesperson and, for a brief time, leadership office staff director.

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As a messaging strategist, he developed a unique public communications strategy to avoid voter confusion on a successful referendum campaign in Florida that won with 64% approval, repealing a previously voter-approved constitutional amendment and saving taxpayers an estimated $25 billion.  The feat has yet to be replicated (as of 2024). 

 

Mark received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Ohio University, where he also trained and worked as a broadcast journalist.  Mid-career he earned a Master’s degree in Christian/Theological Studies with honors from an independent Christian seminary in the Wesleyan tradition and later returned for a school-year to teach courses as an adjunct instructor in Christian Ethics/Church In Society, during a faculty transition.

 

He and his wife, a teacher of children with hearing loss, have a family that includes two grown sons, a daughter-in-law, toddler granddaughter and granddog.  

 

Mark is an outdoors enthusiast (when he has the time).