Educated as an historian and cultural geographer at the University of Nevada, Reno, Mark has lived at Lake Tahoe since 1978. A popular lecturer, he
has entertained hundreds of groups, large and small, with dramatic stories, slide shows and field trips that illustrate Tahoe's unique cultural and environmental history.
Professional speaker and experienced field trip leader for educational Tahoe ecotourism activities, business groups, banquet presentations, and
special functions.
Frequent guest and contributor on radio programs, documentaries, and regional and national television.
Expert consultant for several programs on The History Channel and The Weather Channel, including "God's Wrath: Snowbound" and "Epic Conditions"
filmed by Warren Miller Entertainment.
More than 650 articles published in regional and national publications such as Sierra Heritage, Wild West, Skiing Heritage, Nevada in the West, and Weatherwise. His work has also been published in the Reno News & Review, Issues in Science & Technology, and the Grolier Educational Science
Annual encyclopedia.
Editorial contributor to Sierra College's Sierra Nevada Virtual Museum and member of the Sierra College Press Editorial Advisory Board
Best Nonfiction Book Award (Open Category) for Skiing at Lake Tahoe from 2012 Northern California Publishers & Authors (Arcadia Publishing)
First Place and Best Nonfiction Book Award for Longboards
to Olympics: A Century of Tahoe Winter Sports from 2010 Northern California Publishers & Authors
Best Nonfiction Book Award for The
Donner Party: Weathering the Storm from 2006 Northern California Publishers & Authors
Silver Award for Second Place and Best Nonfiction Book Award for Western Train Adventures: Romance, Robberies & Wrecks from 2003 Sacramento Publishers & Authors
Nevada State Press Best Newspaper Column Awards — 1993, 1994, 1996, 1996 & 1997
Far West Skiing Association's William B. Berry Feature Writing award — 1991