Mark is a 4th generation Tulsan born at Hillcrest Hospital, the youngest of the five children of Lindsay & Diane Perkins. He grew up in Tulsa with his 5 siblings.

Mark was raised in a family of small business owners and community leaders. He was taught from an early age the importance of serving the community, and could always be found helping his parents and siblings with their various causes and organizations.

He was educated in Tulsa, spending his summers in art class at Philbrook or at Camps Takatoka and Kanakuk. In high school, when he wasn’t playing sports, he volunteered after school with Neighbor For Neighbor as a mentor, tutor, and friend to at-risk children at a community house near 56th St. N. & Cincinnati.

After challenging himself on a 26 day expedition with the Colorado Outward Bound School, Mark entered college on scholarship as a member of the President’s Leadership Class. In college he was involved in a myriad of campus organizations and was recognized by the University with an award for “Excellence in Scholarship and Service to the University.” He also earned academic honors, was the sole proprietor of a management and booking agency, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree and an academic minor in four years.

After taking a break from academics by working in Tulsa, Mark returned to pursue his doctorate in law. During law school, he received academic achievement awards, was a member of the American Indian Law Review, and represented the entire College of Law as its Senator. He was also the President of his class.

In addition, Mark was elected to represent the interests of all the graduate students in the entire university system as the Chairman of the Graduate Student Senate. Because of these contributions and more, Mark was given an award by President Boren for “outstanding service to the university community, leadership in extracurricular activities, and academic achievement.”

After receiving his J.D. Mark returned to his hometown, passed the bar exam, and started his own law practice before joining another firm Of Counsel. He works with both entities today. He also owns a residential property management business.

A lifetime of diverse experiences gives Mark a depth of perspective that makes him an insightful leader and team member. He has worked as a landscaper, in the retail business, in the restaurant business, and for a U.S. Congressman. He is also well traveled and has studied law and government at Oxford University’s Brasenose College.

But his passion is Tulsa. Mr. Perkins has raised money and volunteered for many local organizations, such as the Tulsa Zoo and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. He is active in Tulsa’s Young Professionals and was named one of Tulsa’s Twenty New Leaders. He currently volunteers at the Tulsa Boys Home, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Tulsa Ballet, where he is the Chairman of The Barre Society.

Mark has the energy and experience to serve the City of Tulsa. He has the humility to listen, the judgment to make good decisions, the wisdom to distinguish healthy debate from politics, and the vision to lead Tulsa beyond the status quo and into a more safe, healthy, and prosperous future.