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John Mark Watson
Mark is a Paragould, Arkansas native who graduated from Crowley's Ridge Academy, Crowley's Ridge College, Harding University, and has an MBA from Arkansas State University. He is married to Stacie ...view moreMark is a Paragould, Arkansas native who graduated from Crowley's Ridge Academy, Crowley's Ridge College, Harding University, and has an MBA from Arkansas State University. He is married to Stacie Buck of Paragould and has two sons, Jared and Tate. Mark and family currently reside in Springfield, Illinois where he serves as Executive Vice President and COO for the BUNN Corporation.Mark loves challenges, both personal and professional. He would prefer to fail at a huge challenge than succeed at an easy challenge. In his career, he has always chosen to do the hard assignments and big challenges. In his opinion, the hard road is where personal and professional growth are realized. Personal challenges began early with the death of his father during his junior year in high school. Next came children and one with special needs. Most recently, a terminal disease diagnosis of hATTR Amyloidosis (also dubbed his superpower) with initial prognosis of less than a year to live. With some luck, love, faith, soul searching, study, and persistence, those challenges have only served to make the journey deeper and more meaningful.Professional challenges include volunteering for multiple operational and financial rescues, both foreign and domestic, while working for a Fortune 500 company to now leading a medium-sized mid-western manufacturer through growing pains and COVID-19. He loves competing. He loves building teams. Personal wins include the completion of several marathons, MS150 bike rides, Ragnar Relay teams, and River to River team relays. Professional wins include growing people and building teams to achieve more than they dreamed possible.Mark believes in giving back and paying it forward. He is always on the lookout for opportunities to do both. He finds making a difference in the lives of others, whether big or small, very gratifying. One such opportunity that is close to his heart is a nonprofit organization for adults with special needs whose mission is to enrich the lives of their clients through housing, work, and relationships.view less