Mark has dedicated his career to investing with and advising private companies and their owners. He started in the direct investment group at Mutual of New York, where, at the age of 26, he became the firm’s youngest Director of Investments. In 1984, Mark transitioned to investment banking with Morgan Stanley, specializing in high-yield private debt and equity placements for emerging growth companies.

In 1989, Mark moved to Charlotte as a partner with Bowles Hollowell Conner & Co. to build the firm’s corporate finance advisory practice. In 1995, he led the firm’s most successful direct investment, in Morton Metalcraft, ultimately arranging the sale of Morton to private equity in 1997. Following Bowles Hollowell’s acquisition by First Union Bank in 1998, Mark became head of its mergers and acquisitions group.

In 2003, Mark bought out Morton’s private equity investor and left banking to work with the company’s founder and rebuild the business. After Morton’s successful sale in 2006, Mark founded Colville to acquire and develop smaller industrial companies.

Originally from Berkeley, California, Mark grew up in a family of academics and musicians. He worked his way through Princeton University, where he rowed crew, was a member of Ivy Club, and graduated from the School of Public and International Affairs. Mark and his wife Posey have three married children and a growing number of grandchildren. He is an active member of CEO and YPO and has served on the boards of several organizations in Charlotte.