Mark is a degreed forester who began working in the family business, Bird Forestry, well before completing his formal education in the field. After spending summers as a part-time employee, he developed a strong interest in natural resources and decided to pursue a career in forestry. Mark began his professional career with Advanced Ecology, Ltd. (AEL) in 2008, shortly after earning his Bachelor of Science in Forestry with honors and a minor in Business Administration from Stephen F. Austin State University. He later went on to receive his Master of Business Administration from SFASU. As Co-CEO of AEL, Mark has been involved in numerous large-scale projects for both private and non-private landowners, cultivating a deep expertise in forest management and applied technologies. He enjoys implementing large-scale timber inventory initiatives, building relationships with landowners, and supporting the daily oversight and strategic management of forestry technologies.