Mark graduated from NWOSU in Alva Oklahoma with a degree in Conservation Law Enforcement planning to be a game warden or state biologist. While serving as a police officer in Blackwell Oklahoma, Mark went back to school and earned a degree in secondary education and became a high school science teacher in Alva. In 1996, Mark and his family moved to Medicine Lodge, Kansas, where he took the position of middle school principal. Mark's wife teaches 6th grade. They have two sons, Josh and Taylor.

With 911 and other disasters, natural or man made, Mark started thinking of how he could better serve in this area. He became a member of the City of Medicine Lodge volunteer fire department and then Station 1, the rural department. Mark has trained bird dogs for a long time, but wanted to find a better use for training. After much research, Mark found KASARDA and knew it was what he was looking for. Mark's entire family is scuba certified, and Mark would like to reach rescue level as a diver as well.

Mark went on his first KSARDA search in May 2007 when he deployed with 6 KSARDA K9 Units and KSARDA Flankers. Unfortunately, K9 Lexi suffered a broken leg that has not healed and she had to be retired before her search career really got started.

For More Information About KSARDA, Please Contact:  info@ksarda.org

Jennifer Thill, Deputy Director Southern Region	Annette Gaston, Director	Mary Meek, Deputy Director  Northern Region
E-Mail:  jthill3@cox.net	E-Mail:  bngsar@earthlink.net	E-Mail:  marysar@cox.net
Cell:  316-706-6226	Home:  913-592-2985	Home:  785-286-3397
Pager:  316-577-0301	Cell:  913-484-9291	Cell:  785-249-7127

Photos and Content © KSARDA 2004-2005, All Rights Reserved.