Mark Dunn - My Story
Early Life
I’m Mark Dunn—a tech innovator, educator, and cancer survivor hailing from Blount County, Alabama. My life’s been shaped by a drive to solve problems, share knowledge, and help others succeed. The three things I cherish most? Spending time with my family, playing music, and lifting others up to reach their potential.
My childhood wasn’t easy. At 5, my world flipped when my father suffered a fatal stroke, plunging my family into financial chaos. My mom fought depression and never remarried, leaving us to navigate a tough road. I wrestled with a stutter, weight struggles, and relentless bullying—hard times that could’ve broken me. But they didn’t.
A turning point came at 12, when a family member—tough but wise—taught me to face fear head-on. That lesson ended my fear and forged my resilience. Around then, I found an outlet at Horsepens 40, a bluegrass spot, performing Jerry Clower tributes. What started as a way to tame my stutter grew into a love for public speaking. Years later, that shaky kid stood on stages at Microsoft conferences, sharing tech wisdom with crowds. Overcoming fear—once a shadow that silenced me amid bullies—ignited a passion for connecting with people.
Music wove into my early years too. I met legends like Emmylou Harris, thanks to my relative Warren Musgrove, who spotted her talent. Those encounters left vivid memories—her voice, the horses, the Alabama air. School was still a challenge: I graduated salutatorian from JB Pennington High in 1982. The scars lingered, but they fueled my grit.
Family
In 1985, I met Andrea, the love of my life, at Samford University. Tall, red-haired, blue-eyed, Christian, athletic, honest, and a sci-fi geek like me, she was everything I dreamed of. We’ve shared 40 years of marriage, raising two incredible kids, and facing life’s wildest storms together.
Cancer hit us hard—Andrea battled stage 3 breast cancer, and I took on diffuse large B-cell lymphoma triple hit, also stage 3. Those years tested us, but we came out stronger. I overhauled my life with a heart-healthy, low-carb diet, shedding weight and reclaiming energy. Andrea, post-surgery, shines brighter than ever. Today, we’re retired on Lake Lanier, Georgia, strolling nature trails hand in hand, soaking in the peace we fought for.
Andrea’s got a bold streak—she gifted me a drum kit, sparking “Count Me In,” a supper club where drummers swap stories and enjoy a great meal. What wife in their right mind does that? Mine, and I’m forever grateful. Our family’s a tapestry of love, resilience, and a little sci-fi nerdery—Star Wars marathons are still a tradition.
Career Milestones
My 30+ year tech career kicked off with late-night coding sessions—self-taught in COBOL, QuickBASIC, C, and Pascal. Early gigs shaped me: at Dyatron, I built 401k software; at National Computer Print, I coded banking PIN systems; and at Tapscan in Birmingham, I crafted software that powered most North American radio stations. Those years were my proving ground.
Consulting opened bigger doors. I snagged certifications from Sun, Oracle, Microsoft, and PMI, honing skills that propelled me forward. As a technical trainer, I crisscrossed the U.S.—Birmingham to Miami, New York to Seattle—racking up Delta Million Miler status. Every mile built my expertise and confidence.
A back injury could’ve sidelined me, but instead, it birthed Dunn Training in 2002. We became a Microsoft Gold Partner, and I served as Microsoft's Regional Director for 14 years, earning MVP honors 15 times. For 18 years, I taught at Auburn University’s Center for Advanced Technology in Montgomery. I've trained folks at NASA, Coca-Cola, and beyond. I rubbed elbows with music icons, entertainers, and government figures, but Dave Grohl’s line—“There goes my hero, he’s ordinary”—hits home. I’m just a guy who loves solving problems and teaching others how.
Mentors and Inspiration
No journey’s solo, and mine’s no exception. Mentors lit my path. Stan Solomon, my father-in-law, was a rock—wise and steady. Dr. Dan Urry at UAB pulled me into molecular biophysics research, stretching my mind. Rev. Jim Profetto, my spiritual compass, guided me through life’s storms. Doug Turnure, a Microsoft and Samford connection, sharpened my tech edge. Dr. Troy Adair, Athens State’s Business School Dean, taught me leadership’s nuance. And Carl Franklin? He showed me how to laugh and live a little lighter. Together, they fueled my fire as an IT training expert.
Embracing Remission and Retirement
Life’s full of curveballs—I never saw retirement at 57 coming. Cancer changed the game: three years battling lymphoma, ending in remission by 2023. Shutting down Dunn Training was bittersweet, but stepping back? Best call I’ve made. Today, life’s richer—full of moments with Andrea, my wonderful wife, reconnecting with high school pals, and helping neighbors when I can.
I don’t miss the 70+ hour workweeks one bit. Overachieving paid off, but it wore me out. Now, I’ve got freedom to enjoy the good stuff: jamming on my drums, walking the dog along Lake Lanier, or kicking back with my favorite redhead. Life’s good—really good—and I’m thankful every day for this second chance.
Life in Pictures
