Mark Begelman

Mark is a very seasoned executive with over 30 years experience. has been Ernest and Young’s’ “Entrepreneur of the Year” twice, financial News CEO of the Year, founder of 2 companies that have been “Company of the Year” in California and Florida.

Founder and CEO of Mars Music: 1995-October 2000

- Opened 52 musical instrument superstores in 28 States
- Achieved revenue of $350 million
- Achieved Store operating income of $24 million
- EBITDA of $6.8 million
- Largest educator of music students in the United States
- Created Mars Music Records
- Created Mars Music Publishing
- Raised $180 million in venture financing
- Entrepreneur of the Year

President and Chief Operating Officer of Office Depot 1991-1995

- Grew revenue from $900 million to $5.5 billion
- Grew store base from 127 stores to 467 stores
- NY Stock Exchange market cap at $5.0 billion
- Opened stores in Israel, Columbia, Poland, Canada and Mexico
- Created and executed “Furniture at Works”, “Uptime Service” and “Images”
- Created and executed “Office Depot University”
- Created and executed “contact” sales division re: Greenfield and acquisition strategy
- Achieved 90 cents per share earnings
- Florida “Company of the Year” 1994

Founder and CEO of Office Club: 1986 to 1991

- One of the original founders of the Office Product Superstore industry
- Opened 52 superstores
- IPO in 1989 NASDAQ
- Achieved 36 cents per share earning
- Fastest growing company in California 1989
- Entrepreneur of the Year 1990
- CEO of the year 1992
- Merged with Office Depot in 1991 for $292 million

Senior Vice President of Breuners Home Furnishings 1981 to 1986

Divisional Merchandise Manager of Jordon Marsh 1976 to 1981

Buyer at Abraham and Straus in Brooklyn NY 1969 to 1976

Graduate of Dowling College