Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Heggestad.
Hi Mark, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in the heart of Minnesota, where the winters were cold but the sense of community was always warm. My upbringing was grounded in the Midwestern values of hard work, honesty, and looking out for your neighbors—values instilled in me by my family and reinforced by the tight-knit town I called home. As a product of Minnesota’s public schools, I learned early the importance of education, opportunity, and giving everyone a fair shot.
After graduating from high school, I continued my education at a state college, earning 2 degrees in Information Technology and Business Management.
My professional journey began in Minnesota, where I took on a variety of roles across several industries. I worked in the airlines sector, mortgage industry, hospitality and government further broadened my perspective, teaching me the importance of adaptability, collaboration, and putting people first. Eventually, I found my calling in healthcare in Florida, where I witnessed firsthand where medicine and technology come together to solve complex issues in Rare Disease.
Along the way, I earned my Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. This training not only sharpened my organizational and leadership skills but also reinforced my commitment to accountability, transparency, and delivering results. Whether managing complex initiatives or leading teams, I’ve learned that clear communication and shared goals are the keys to success.
One of the most unique chapters in my journey has been my experience as a football official. I have worked at all levels including being a practice official for 3 NFL teams. For 40 years, I’ve been on the field, making split-second decisions and upholding the integrity of the game. Officiating has taught me the value of impartiality, the importance of fairness, and the courage to stand by tough calls under pressure. These are the same principles I’ll bring to public service.
As a Democrat, my political philosophy is built on fairness, teamwork, and putting people over politics. I have drafted a bill called, the Presidential Order Compliance Act, ensuring that Executive orders will be legal, constitutional and within the Article 2 powers of the constitution. This reinforced my belief that government should serve the people, not the other way around.
I’m running for Congress because I believe Northeast Florida deserves a representative who listens—really listens—to the concerns and dreams of everyday people. Throughout my career, I’ve learned the power of collaboration, the need for common sense solutions, and the importance of honest leadership. I’m not here to make empty promises. I’m here to stand up for working families, protect our shared values, and deliver the accountable, transparent representation that our community deserves. Lets bring down the temperature in Washington, one conversation, one decision, and one vote at a time.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a perfectly smooth road, and I don’t think anyone’s path really is. I’ve had my share of ups and downs. I’m grateful to be healthy, and I’ve been fortunate to hold a number of good jobs over the years, but life has thrown its curveballs. I went through a divorce, and I’ve been laid off three different times as the mortgage industry rose and fell. My most recent layoff came from funding cuts, which is a reminder of how quickly things can change even when you’re doing everything right.
What’s made the difference for me is the support of my family and a simple belief I was raised with: when you get knocked down, you get back up and go back to work. Those experiences didn’t break me—they shaped me. They taught me resilience, humility, and the importance of showing up again and again, no matter what the last chapter looked like.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My career has centered on Information Technology(IT) project management, where I’ve built a reputation for organizing complex work, leading diverse teams, and delivering results with accountability and precision. I’m known for bringing structure to chaos—making sure people, timelines, and resources all move in the same direction to get important work done.
Outside the office, I’ve spent 40 years as a football official at the high school and college levels, including work with the Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings and the Jacksonville Jaguars. That experience shaped me just as much as any job. Officiating demands integrity, impartiality, and the ability to make tough decisions in real time, often with a stadium full of people ready to disagree. It teaches you to stay calm, know the rules inside and out, and treat everyone with fairness.
What I’m most proud of is the consistency of those values across every part of my life—whether I’m leading a project team or standing on a football field. What sets me apart is that combination of disciplined leadership and steady, real‑world judgment built over decades of showing up, doing the work, and earning trust.
Any big plans?
Running for Congress is shaping up to be one of the most fulfilling journeys of my life. I’m looking forward to the people I’ll meet, the conversations that will challenge me, and the sights and sounds that come with stepping into new communities and experiences. Every day brings a story I haven’t heard before and a perspective that broadens my own.
What excites me most is the opportunity to grow — as a leader, as a listener, and as someone who wants to make a meaningful difference. This next chapter is full of unknowns, but it’s also full of purpose, and I’m ready for the work ahead.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heggestadforcongress.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heggestadforcongress/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heggestadforcongress/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/
