Mark Farina is the owner and president of Mark Farina Communications, a media and public relations firm that encompasses news, politics, sports and culture across the greater Chicago and Midwestern region. With over 25 years of experience in public relations, Mark spent 24 years within the Chicago Municipal government. However, he may be best known for his work as a Sports Announcer/Journalist, with over 40 years of sportscasting and sports writing to his credit.
Passionate about sports and media from an early age, Mark began sports announcing and writing in high school for Football, Basketball and Wrestling and quickly discovered he had a knack for the medium and natural ease as a presenter. He studied Communications at Illinois State University where he also began his radio career. Moving back home, Mark began working full time as a photographer with the City of Chicago, while studying Radio and Television from Columbia College Chicago. Later he added a weekly Sportsradio program, which he hosted and produced for three years in Chicago He also got an early start in broadcasting as a Production Assistant for his father’s local Chicago TV show. He has completed additional studies in Communications as part of the DePaul University’s innovative working adult “School For New Learning” program.
As a member of the Board of Directors of “Keep Chicago Beautiful, he received the “Lester Award” in 2008 for his contributions to environmental and beautification programs
Mark has been a PA announcer for The Chicago State University’s Cougars, Chicago Public League, DePaul College Prep, and the Noble Athletic Conference. Across the city and suburbs of Chicago, he has announced for high school championships of baseball, football, basketball, wrestling, soccer, ice hockey, track and field and rugby.
Also an author, Mark published his first book, Casey and the Flying Fortress: The True Story of a World War II Bomber Pilot and the Crew. Focusing on the tale of a WWII Air force co-pilot from Chicago, the book serves to bridge the gap for contemporary readers and younger generations, to make help inspire family members of military veterans to use modern-day research methods to explore the past. The Book is available online at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com and his website MarkFarinaAuthor.com
A resident of Brookfield, Illinois, Mark has been a member of Kiwanis International for over 25 years, which began in High School where he served as Key Club President and was elected and served as Governor of the Illinois Eastern Iowa District. He and his wife, Diane, have been happily married since 1993, and the two are proud parents of a teenage son.
Outside of running his company and balancing his busy schedule of speaking and announcing engagements, Mark is in the process of writing his second book.
International Alumni Association Member Mark Farina can be found on the Association Directory, where he is looking forward to networking with you.
