Mark brings a wealth of experience as a seasoned senior executive with a proven track record in solving the toughest problems at all levels of government. Before joining Michael Best, Mark served as Chief Clerk and Deputy Land Commissioner for the Texas General Land Office, where he led an agency of over 750 employees. During his tenure there, Mark played a pivotal role in disaster recovery efforts, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey—the State’s most devastating storm in a generation. Mark leverages his comprehensive knowledge and experience of disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience—at both the state and federal levels—to help government entities and other clients reduce risk and optimize the recovery process.
In his prior role at the Land Office, Mark also managed over 13 million mineral acres across the State of Texas, generating record-breaking revenues in oil and gas development on state-owned lands. Under his leadership, the agency brought in over $2 billion in royalties in 2022.
As the former General Counsel for the Land Office, Mark served as the lead attorney on complex legislative matters involving allocation wells and the distribution of production and royalty concerns associated with horizontal drilling. He has also spearheaded regulatory matters before the Texas Railroad Commission, royalty valuation claims, boundary disputes, and policy initiatives focusing on energy and environmental policy.
Mark is also recognized for his contributions to academia, having published articles on topics such as "House Bill 40 and the Preemption of Local Fracking Ordinances" and "Administering State Leases and Relinquishment Act Lands." Known for his ability to communicate complex information effectively, Mark frequently engages diverse audiences through public speaking. He has been a speaker at various conventions, including the National Association of Royalty Owners - Texas Convention, where he shared insights on allocation wells and field rules.
Mark's career also includes roles at a Texas-based law firm, where he practiced civil litigation with a focus on insurance defense and oil and gas litigation. He represented landowners, mineral owners, and royalty owners in negotiating leases and agreements, managing all aspects of case intake and litigation processes.