Former White House Official Kristie Mark Joins ESOP Association as COO

Washington, DC, July 11, 2019 - The ESOP Association (TEA) today announced that seasoned business and operations executive Kristie Mark will join The Association July 16 as its first Chief Operating Officer (COO).  Mark, who served as the Chief Administrative Officer in the Executive Office of the President during the Obama administration, is known for her ability to assist organizations as they navigate leadership, cultural, and financial transitions at a world-class level.

“The Board of Directors and I are thrilled that Kristie has agreed to join The Association staff,” said James Bonham, President and CEO of TEA.  “Kristie’s breadth of experience, talent, and dedication will undoubtedly make a positive and enduring impact for the employee ownership community.  She is one of the most talented people I’ve ever worked with, and I’m grateful she has chosen to join TEA’s staff of professionals.”

Immediately prior to joining TEA, Mark served as Chief Financial and Administrative Officer (CFAO) for the National Skills Coalition, a not for profit organization dedicated to improving workforce training and skills development opportunities.  Mark helped to navigate the organization through a period of exponential growth—revenues more than doubled from $4 million to over $8 million and staff size grew from 19 to 33.

As the Chief Administrative Officer in President Obama’s White House, Mark managed all aspects of the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer’s five divisions: Design and Communications, Human Resource Management, Learning and Development, Library and Research Services, and Special Programs. In this role she provided world-class administrative and business services to all components of the Executive Office of the President and its staff of roughly 4,000.

“Employee ownership is a natural extension of my work at the Skills Coalition and the White House, and I am very excited to make a contribution.  It is a deeply important movement—especially at this point in our nation’s history when wealth inequality and retirement income insecurity are such pressing concerns,” Mark said. “The ESOP Association is at an important stage in its life, and the chance to play a central role in shaping its future is very enticing for me.”

The Chief Operating Officer position is newly created at the ESOP Association. Reporting directly to the President and CEO, Mark will be responsible for The Association’s finance and operations divisions, and will hold similar responsibilities for The Employee Ownership Foundation (EOF), The Association’s affiliated 501(c)(3) organization.

Originally from Maine, Mark graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from the University of New Hampshire. She lives on Capitol Hill with her daughter Aquinnah.

About The ESOP Association
Formed in 1979, The ESOP Association is the leading national trade association representing companies with Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and the professionals who provide services to them, such as attorneys, accountants, financial advisors, and professional fiduciaries/trustees.