Mark Sharff has been a resident of Sarasota since 1968, and graduated from Florida State University in 1975 with a degree in Accounting. After marrying, Maggie in 1982, Mark formed a small company to service area food service which became known as Vista Serv Corporation. In 2007, Mark sold that business, and has since bought and developed some commercial properties in Sarasota and Manatee County. Maggie and Mark have two children, Sam and Betsy. Both children are professionals living out of the area. Mark is a Guardian ad Litem volunteer in Manatee County.