Mark Liston
Mark Liston retired in August of 2020. He enjoyed working with Joe Bourdow at Valpak for seven years before joining Neighborly’s (then Dwyer Group’s) Glass Doctor in April of 2010 as the Vice President of Operations. His experience in Franchising, however, goes back to 1981 when he was hired by Kinetico Incorporated and worked with Kinetico dealers throughout the world before becoming a partner in a Kinetico Dealership. During that time, he often wrote for Water Technology Magazine and was the President of the Illinois Water Quality Association. After 18 years in the water treatment field at both the corporate and franchise side of the business, Mark joined Batteries Plus heading up their franchise sales effort. Later Mark joined Midas International in Franchise Development covering 27 states and Western Canada awarding franchises throughout those areas. It was at that time that Mark attended his first IFA National Convention. In 2002 Mark became a member of Valpak, the company that pioneered the concept of local cooperative mail in the U.S. in 1968. Initially Mark was a Franchise Consultant for Valpak – working with all Franchisees across the Provinces. He moved to Corporate Headquarters in Largo, FL later that year to head up Valpak’s Franchise Sales efforts. His role was expanded as he started Team One, the support group that worked with new franchisees.
