Mark’s first career was in the travel industry for over 30 years which allowed him to move around the USA. Mark has lived in Nashville, Atlanta, Dallas, Austin, Fort Lauderdale, and New York City until he relocated to Raleigh over 17 years ago.

Mark created travel programs in all 29 islands of the Caribbean, Mexico and USA for various National Travel Companies such as American Express. Mark was Vice President of Divi Resorts headquartered in Chapel Hill, NC  with hotels in 6 Caribbean islands and that is how he came to relocate here. After his retirement from the non-stop travel business, he realized he wasn’t ready to stop work, so Mark opened and manages two local businesses – Jet Set Tourism, LLC a full-service travel agency and Mark Steward Team, LLC a Real Estate firm for the past 5 years.

Mark is actively involved in the community. He currently serves as a Chairman of the Board of United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County and Chair of the Gala committee as well as serves as State Committee Member in charge of Logistics for Miss North Carolina Scholarship Program.

Mark and his husband Freddie Heath, are members of White Memorial Presbyterian Church and are avid theater and arts supporters. They love to travel extensively and often, accompanied by their 15-year-old Silky Terrier named Boogie Woogie when possible.