Personal Life
Mark was born in Mesa at Mesa General Hospital and has one older brother. Being a Mesa native, he has a unique view of what makes Mesa great and decided to raise his family in Mesa. Married in 1996, he and his wife recently celebrated their 22nd anniversary. The family consists or 3 boys and 1 girl as well as Mark’s niece and nephew who came to stay with them at a young age. They also have a 4 dogs and 7 cats who are very much part of the family. Mark has been employed by a privately owned communications company for the last 20 years, currently serving as their Chief Technical Officer responsible for the company’s massive public and private network. Mark and his wife Tamara also recently adopted a 4 year old girl who they have been fostering over the last couple years.
Keep The Cubs Chairman
Mark was asked and accepted to chair the Cubs campaign in 2010 when the contract between the City and the Cubs expired. The grapefruit league, along with business interests in Florida, attempted to convince the Cubs organization to move operations to Florida. Keeping the Cubs in Mesa meant keeping 1600+ jobs and over $138 million in economic impact in Arizona. Mark worked tirelessly along with coaches, firefighters, Mesa officials, and countless other supporters to get the message to the community to help support the proposition to keep the Cubs in Mesa. The hard work paid off with 64% of Mesa voters supporting the proposition. Mesa recently signed an agreement with the Oakland A’s as well so Mesa now has 2 Cactus league teams drawing thousands of visitors into Mesa each Spring. Economic Impact
Youth Sports Administrator
With 6 children, playing sports was second nature to the Yarbrough family. Mark has been a member of multiple youth sports boards such as the Mesa Parent Youth Athletic Association, The Mesa Youth Sports Coalition, and Mesa American Little League. Having held various coaching and board positions with Little League, Mark was elected as President of MALL in 2006. He served as President for 3 years and was asked to serve as the ADA for District 7 which oversees 9 Baseball and 2 Softball leagues in Mesa and Apache Junction. In 2011, he was elected to the District Administrator position, which he currently serves. District 7 is known for hosting state tournaments and having a robust Fall and Winter season allowing players to compete and play Little League baseball and Softball nearly year round in Mesa. Mark’s district hosted the 9-10 year old state baseball All Star tournament in 2016 and the Majors state baseball tournament in 2017.
Mesa Parks Board Chairman
Mark was appointed to the Mesa Parks Advisory board in 2008 by then Mayor Keno Hawker. He was elected to be Chairman in 2011. Mark was re-appointed to the board for a second term by former mayor Scott Smith in 2012. One of Marks first challenges on the board was met early when the council was reviewing making changes at the Rhodes aquatic complex to replace the community supported flow-rider amenity. Mark spoke at the city council meeting in support of the project explaining that extensive research went into the facility and residents in district 3 would benefit more with a unique attraction. Mark won the support of the majority of the council and the facility was built to include the attraction.
Mesa Public Schools Advocate
All of Mr. Yarbrough’s children attended Mesa Public Schools. An avid supporter of the school district, Mark has stated both publicly and privately that Mesa schools are among the best in Arizona. He has supported his local schools as both Vice President and President of the school Parent Teacher Association. At Crismon elementary, Mark organized both the talent show as well as the school fundraiser while on the PTA which brought in thousands of dollars to help support the school. Although he only has 1 child left to graduate, he still offers support wherever he can to ensure funding for our schools. He firmly believes a strong school system is vital to the Mesa community.
Articles of Interest
http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/20111019mesa-cubs-agreements-city-council1019.html
http://www.mesanow.org/article.php?id=258
http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/2008/10/07/20081007mr-rhodes1007-ON.html
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/local/article_c606e618-cd47-11e1-bb35-0019bb2963f4.html