Biography

Mark is founder and President of the Heartland Foundation, a charitable organization helping people in our community since 1978. After losing his own home in the 2003 wildfires, Mark raised money through the Heartland Foundation to help fire survivors rebuild. He also obtained donations of cars, computers, and other items to assist those who lost their homes and businesses. In addition, Heartland Foundation provides seed money for small business start-ups, as well as for health and environmental projects locally.

A lifelong resident of the 36th State Senate district, Mark resides in Lakeside with his wife, Jackie, and their two daughters. As a high school and college English teacher, Mark has taught thousands of students at El Capitan High School, Grossmont College, the University of California Extension Programs at UCLA and UCSD. He has twice been honored as Teacher of the Year. In addition, he received awards from the National Council of Teachers of English for and California School Boards Association for programs he developed.

A strong supporter of public education, Mark is a former administrator of the Grossmont Union High School District, where he raised millions of dollars in education grants to help local students. He chairs the Grossmont Race/Human Relations Task Force, working to make our schools safe for all students. He has authored five books and holds four degrees, including a PhD in education/corporate training from Claremont Graduate University an M.A. in English and American literature/composition from the University of California, San Diego, a B.A. in history from Luther College, and an M.A. in leadership and human behavior from the United States International University.

Since 2002, Mark has served as Director of Training and Development for the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council, where he has raised $11 million in grants and helped create thousands of good-paying jobs. He previously served as Executive Director of Labor’s Community Service Agency, administering programs to assist workers, families and the community with career development, health, education, and housing.

Mark is a leader who understands the needs of both businesses and workers. Most recently, Mark has teamed up with the Apollo Alliance to develop clean energy technologies and help our community achieve energy independence from high-priced oil and gas, bringing 80,000 new jobs to our region.

A tireless volunteer serving our community, Mark has served since 1978 as an officer and board member of over a dozen non-profit organizations including the State Youth Council, San Diego Youth Council, California Workforce Investment Act Veterans’ Committee, and Lakeside Planning Group. In addition to heading up the Heartland Foundation, he is also Chairman of the board for the Grossmont Education Fund.

President/CEO of Leadership Management International in San Diego, Mark has strong business leadership as well as financial skills. A securities broker since 1978, he has used his financial abilities to benefit our community by offering free seminars for educators, healthcare workers, and disaster survivors. As President/Owner of Itec Training Assessment since 1990, he has assisted small business owners in obtaining SBA loans and setting up financial software systems.

Mark Hanson is an exceptionally well-qualified candidate who has the vision and leadership experience to be a true statesman. He will put the needs of the people above the demands of special interests to create real solutions to problems facing our community. A vote for Mark Hanson is a vote for proven integrity and excellence in leadership to represent the 36th State Senate District.

• served as District Director of Resource Development for the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District and currently

• serves as Director of Training and Development for the San Diego – Imperial Counties Labor Council

• serve on the Targeting Resources Committee for the San Diego Workforce Partnership and State Workforce Investment Board

• served as AFT site representative and on the Lakeside Planning Group

• founded Leadership Management of San Diego to assist individuals and organizations in communication and productivity

• serve on the State Youth Council

• served on State Veterans Work Group

• worked with the Trust for Public Land to preserve open space in East County

• founder and president of the Heartland Foundation, a charitable organization

• wrote grants that generated millions to fund projects in education, workforce training, and economic development

• wrote grants that provided 2003 wildfire survivors with cars, computers, furniture and other necessary items lost in the fires

• arranged financing to restart businesses lost in the fires

• helped my neighbors rebuild physically and emotionally after the fires