Mark graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration in 1984. After ear11ing All-American honors in both academics and football at Sahuaro, Mark continued playing football at Arkansas where he was Team Captain in his senior year. He also earned the All-Southwest Conference Scholar Athlete Award for several years at Arkansas, and was selected to play in the Japan Bowl All-Star game after his senior season. Mark was very involved with the youth in the State of Arkansas through the University’s athletic department outreach prograrn and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization. He also led a student group to resurrect the Catholic Newman Center at the University of Arkansas.
Mark signed a free agent contract with the San Francisco 49ers and after being cut from the roster, moved on. to start his career in business while attending school. Mark earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Arizona State University in 1946. He began his business career at Valley National Bank in Phoenix as a management trainee.
He moved back to Tucson with the Bank in 1987 where he worked for 14 years in various capacities. His last assignment with Valley Bank (Bank One) was as Senior Vice President and Manager of Corporate Banking for Southern Arizona.
While at Valley Bank (Bank One), Mark became very involved in the community serving on the Board of Directors of the Tucson Parks Foundation and the Junior Achievement of Southern Arizona. He was also a member of the Tucson Rotary, and worked on projects for the Prima Vera Homeless Shelter, and Pio Decimo Center.
Mark is currently President of Compass Bank where he is responsible for all bank operations in Southern Arizona. He is on the National Board of Advisors for the University of Arizona Eller College of Business and the Board of Advisors for the Metropolitan Charnber of Commerce. Mark also serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Tucson Economic Council, Southern Arizona Leadership Council, and is Chairman of the Board of Directors of St. Augustine Catholic High School.
While Mark is very involved in the community, he states that faith and family will always be the top priorities in his life. Mark has been married to his high school sweetheart Kathy (Lamb) for 15 years and they have three incredible sons, Brian who is 11, Kevin is 9, and Kyle is 7. Mark feels very fortunate to be married to the most wonderful wife in the world. He coaches his son’s soccer, football and baseball teams and is on the school board of their school. Mark states that he was taught the importance of family by the example of his parents, John and Pat Mistler, who he says are the best parents a person could hope for.
Mark is very thankful for being able to attend Sahuaro High School in the late 70’s. He says that the teachers and coaches he had at Sahuaro were very passionate about helping young people to become positive, productive adults. Mark hopes that those teachers and coaches know what an incredibly positive impact they have had on the lives of thousands of students at Sahuaro High School.