Description
Executive Director
MARK S. LANGE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Innovative and insightful executive with an entrepreneurial focus, a dedication to service
excellence, and extensive experience in administration, operations, and business development.
Proven ability to mentor and motivate high-performance teams; gain trusted-advisor status with
key decision makers; and implement programs and strategies that improve performance,
productivity, and revenue growth. Excels in managing the expectations of demanding, high
profile stakeholders while driving positive organizational change.
Strategic Planning & Analysis ! Change Management ! Economic Development ! IT Strategy
Start-up & Turnaround Environments ! Team Leadership ! Process Improvement ! Public Relations
Expense Control ! Business Development ! Presentations ! Entrepreneurship Education
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
MANAGING DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE FOR EXCEPTIONAL GROWTH COMPANIES, MERISIS GROUP LLC,
South Bend, IN, 2012 - Present
The Institute for Exceptional Growth Companies is a research and education based organization funded
primarily by the NASDAQ OMX Foundation and hosted by the Edward Lowe Foundation. The Institute generates
new data, research, and insights into the development of high growth companies. The Merisis Group LLC is a
consulting firm specializing in entrepreneur development and business growth services, with an emphasis on
emerging middle-market companies.
Establish and maintain relationships for the Institute with clients that include NASDAQ, The
Association for Corporate Growth, Inc. Magazine, and the US Dept. of Commerce. Provide
consultation and subject matter expertise for Merisis on projects related to economic
development and entrepreneurship education. Lead strategic research teams that provide
entrepreneurs with the market research and competitive intelligence necessary to devise and
execute new growth strategies.
! Launched an innovative institute by bringing together a unique mix of non-profit
organizations, private businesses and research specialists.
! Introduced groundbreaking concepts in economic development by creating an exceptional
team of database managers, Web/data designers, and academic researchers.
! Led development of the first national time-series database, accessible via Website, to track
the economic impact of publicly traded and private equity backed companies.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EDWARD LOWE FOUNDATION, Cassopolis, MI, 1998 to 2012
A 501©3 private operating foundation dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship and its impact on community
and economic development
Reporting directly to the founder, provided oversight for all day-to day operations of a national
foundation, including non-profit governance, financial oversight, program development, and
MARK S. LANGE ! RESUME PAGE TWO
Professional Experience continued…
strategic direction. Managed five direct reports and a total staff of 45 who produced highly
technical programs, datasets, and Websites; developed software applications; created
training/certification curriculums and recognition programs; and managed a 2600-acre retreat
center and nature conservancy.
! Directed a rebranding and strategic visioning effort with the Trustees that positioned the
foundation as a key economic development influencer in at least 27 states.
! Built national reputation as workshop and keynote address presenter on the topics of
economic development, entrepreneurship support, and economic gardening.
! Created a national network of virtual research teams that provide market research
information to high-growth companies; adopted by 18 states or regions thus far.
CENTER DIRECTOR, LUNDQUIST CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP – UNIVERSITY OF OREGON,
Eugene, OR, 1995-1998
A learning center within the college of business committed to educating, inspiring and empowering future
entrepreneurs.
Led the expansion of program offerings and faculty involvement in entrepreneurship
activities. Built relationships, programs and fundraising opportunities to support significant
growth that moved the center into the national spotlight.
PRESENTATIONS & AFFILIATIONS
Articles, Interviews, and presentations for organizations such as the National Governors
Association, National League of Cities, International Economic Development Council, Small
Business Administration, Council of State Governments, US Chamber of Commerce.
Adjunct Instructor Entrepreneurship - Mendoza College of Business, University of Notre Dame.
Board Member - Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER).
Technical Advisory Board – Michigan Entrepreneurship Score Card
EARLY CAREER
Westcom Productions, Eugene, OR: Vice President of Marketing
CVT Productions Eugene, OR: Owner and President
Twin Falls High School and College of Southern Idaho: Business Education Instructor
EDUCATION
BS in Business Marketing Education, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
BA in Business Finance, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
doc_393071779.pdf
Executive Director
MARK S. LANGE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Innovative and insightful executive with an entrepreneurial focus, a dedication to service
excellence, and extensive experience in administration, operations, and business development.
Proven ability to mentor and motivate high-performance teams; gain trusted-advisor status with
key decision makers; and implement programs and strategies that improve performance,
productivity, and revenue growth. Excels in managing the expectations of demanding, high
profile stakeholders while driving positive organizational change.
Strategic Planning & Analysis ! Change Management ! Economic Development ! IT Strategy
Start-up & Turnaround Environments ! Team Leadership ! Process Improvement ! Public Relations
Expense Control ! Business Development ! Presentations ! Entrepreneurship Education
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
MANAGING DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE FOR EXCEPTIONAL GROWTH COMPANIES, MERISIS GROUP LLC,
South Bend, IN, 2012 - Present
The Institute for Exceptional Growth Companies is a research and education based organization funded
primarily by the NASDAQ OMX Foundation and hosted by the Edward Lowe Foundation. The Institute generates
new data, research, and insights into the development of high growth companies. The Merisis Group LLC is a
consulting firm specializing in entrepreneur development and business growth services, with an emphasis on
emerging middle-market companies.
Establish and maintain relationships for the Institute with clients that include NASDAQ, The
Association for Corporate Growth, Inc. Magazine, and the US Dept. of Commerce. Provide
consultation and subject matter expertise for Merisis on projects related to economic
development and entrepreneurship education. Lead strategic research teams that provide
entrepreneurs with the market research and competitive intelligence necessary to devise and
execute new growth strategies.
! Launched an innovative institute by bringing together a unique mix of non-profit
organizations, private businesses and research specialists.
! Introduced groundbreaking concepts in economic development by creating an exceptional
team of database managers, Web/data designers, and academic researchers.
! Led development of the first national time-series database, accessible via Website, to track
the economic impact of publicly traded and private equity backed companies.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EDWARD LOWE FOUNDATION, Cassopolis, MI, 1998 to 2012
A 501©3 private operating foundation dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship and its impact on community
and economic development
Reporting directly to the founder, provided oversight for all day-to day operations of a national
foundation, including non-profit governance, financial oversight, program development, and
MARK S. LANGE ! RESUME PAGE TWO
Professional Experience continued…
strategic direction. Managed five direct reports and a total staff of 45 who produced highly
technical programs, datasets, and Websites; developed software applications; created
training/certification curriculums and recognition programs; and managed a 2600-acre retreat
center and nature conservancy.
! Directed a rebranding and strategic visioning effort with the Trustees that positioned the
foundation as a key economic development influencer in at least 27 states.
! Built national reputation as workshop and keynote address presenter on the topics of
economic development, entrepreneurship support, and economic gardening.
! Created a national network of virtual research teams that provide market research
information to high-growth companies; adopted by 18 states or regions thus far.
CENTER DIRECTOR, LUNDQUIST CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP – UNIVERSITY OF OREGON,
Eugene, OR, 1995-1998
A learning center within the college of business committed to educating, inspiring and empowering future
entrepreneurs.
Led the expansion of program offerings and faculty involvement in entrepreneurship
activities. Built relationships, programs and fundraising opportunities to support significant
growth that moved the center into the national spotlight.
PRESENTATIONS & AFFILIATIONS
Articles, Interviews, and presentations for organizations such as the National Governors
Association, National League of Cities, International Economic Development Council, Small
Business Administration, Council of State Governments, US Chamber of Commerce.
Adjunct Instructor Entrepreneurship - Mendoza College of Business, University of Notre Dame.
Board Member - Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER).
Technical Advisory Board – Michigan Entrepreneurship Score Card
EARLY CAREER
Westcom Productions, Eugene, OR: Vice President of Marketing
CVT Productions Eugene, OR: Owner and President
Twin Falls High School and College of Southern Idaho: Business Education Instructor
EDUCATION
BS in Business Marketing Education, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
BA in Business Finance, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
doc_393071779.pdf