Mark Colo
Mark Colo | |
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| Born | Mark David Colo November 6, 1957 Fullerton, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Alma mater | University of Phoenix |
| Occupation |
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| Organization | Find Neuro Help (Co-founder) |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Anne Pinckney |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives |
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Mark Colo (born November 6, 1957) is an American author, philanthropist, and former relocation professional. He has over three decades of experience in the relocation industry, having facilitated the relocation of 115,000 employees and 500 businesses, both globally and domestically.[1]
Colo co-founded FIND Neuro Help (formerly FINDcures), a non-profit organization supporting those affected by chronic neurological diseases. He is also an author and has written two books: "Peace with Parkinson’s – It’s Called a Resting Tremor, not an Earthquake" (2014) and "The Noble and Great Ones: It's not about proportions, it's what's in the glass that matters most" (2021).[2]
Early life and education
Colo was born and raised in Southern California. He studied at the Lumbleau Real Estate School, obtaining Broker's license in 1991. In 2006, Colo earned a bachelor's degree in business management from the University of Phoenix.
Career
Relocation Professional
In 1980, Colo started his career in the van line industry, amassing over three decades of experience in the relocation field. His commitment to learning led him to attain the Certified Relocation Professional (C.R.P.) designation in 1985 through the Employee Relocation Council, a distinction held by fewer than 200 individuals in the U.S. Colo is also a licensed California real estate broker (R.E.B.).
In 1990, Colo assumed the position of Director of Business Development at Belmont-United Van Lines. His responsibilities included selling various services in the moving industry, such as National Accounts Household Goods, Commercial Office Moving, International Forwarding, Distribution Products, and High-Value Shipments. Alongside sales, he participated in training initiatives and contributed to product development.
Specialty Projects
Two landmark projects Colo secured and oversaw early in his career was; Focus on the Family from Pomona, CA to Colorado Springs, CO. consisting of relocating 700 families, 7 broadcasting studios, three warehousing operations, and a daily shipping volume of 1,500 items per day. The scope of this project entailed packaging, loading, transportation, unloading, re-assembly, debris removal and clean up of 62 (53’) line-loaded trailers. The second project was World Vision International from Monrovia, CA to Federal Way, WA. consisting of 180 families, three warehouses, 3 broadcasting studios for 15 line-loaded trailers.
When the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) needed expertise to relocate 330,000 reels of Konochrome Films, the largest collection in the world, from their Westwood Campus to a newly built facility 90 minutes away, they chose Colo to manage the project.
In 2000, Mark co-founded Transafari LLC, a corporate relocation outsourcing firm in Southern California. The company assisted businesses in overcoming the challenges of relocation by providing guidance and clearing obstacles. Colo’s contributions included brand development, advertising, marketing, staffing, training, sales development, and cultivating supplier relationships.
Find Neuro Help
Shortly after his 48th birthday, Colo noticed a resting tremor in his right pinky finger. He sought medical advice and was diagnosed with pre-Parkinsonian symptoms by a neurologist. These experiences inspired Colo to co-found FIND Neuro Help (formerly FINDcures), a 501(c)(3) non-profit supporting individuals affected by chronic neurological diseases (CND). Colo's mission is to connect those with chronic neuro-diseases to mental, physical, spiritual, and financial assistance through affordable, high-quality experts who comprehend individual needs and offer solutions for complex circumstances.
Author
Colo is the author of two books: "Peace with Parkinson’s – It’s Called a Resting Tremor, not an Earthquake" (2014) and "The Noble and Great Ones: It's not about proportions, it's what's in the glass that matters most" (2021). Both books are available on Amazon.com.
Community Service
Colo has been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for over 50 years, serving in various capacities, including Branch President, Elders Quorum President, and a member of the Stake High Council. He also held roles as 1st and 2nd councilors in two ward bishoprics and as a temple ordinance worker. Additionally, Colo served as a Church Service Missionary in Scotland and Northern Ireland from January 1977 to January 1979. During a period of time referred to as the Hunger Strike.
Bibliography
- Peace with Parkinson’s – It’s Called a Resting Tremor, not an Earthquake (2014)
- The Noble and Great Ones: It's not about proportions, it's what's in the glass that matters most (2021).
Awards and recognitions
- Colo was a five times member of the United Masters Club, placing him in the top 5% of peers nationwide.
Personal life
Colo resides in St. George, Utah. He married his wife, Mary Anne Pinckney, in 1994, and together they have three children.
In his free time, Colo engages in cycling, golf, travel, and family moments. Mark is a TEDx Speaker who enjoys public speaking, listening to non-fiction audio books, and furthering public awareness of chronic neuro-diseases.
Adaptability Proliferates Possibilities
I grew up in Anaheim, CA, a few blocks away from the Happiest Place on Earth” …Disneyland. My favorite ride, at the park was Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. Loved That Ride! The twists and turns were exciting, the surprises non-stop. Little did I know that ride would be a foreshadow of things to come.
My parents divorced when I was 3 years old, our family moved ten times before my mom remarried a police officer and law and order entered our home.
At age 19, I was ready to leave home. I packed my bags, hopped on an airplane, and flew to Northern Ireland to complete a 2-year church service mission at a time of great civil unrest referred to as “The Hunger Strike”.
Following that experience I returned home to the United States, found gainful employment in the moving and storage industry, and retired last year.
Helen Keller once said, “The bend in the road, is not the end of the road, unless you fail to make the turn.
I faced the largest bend in my road, when I was 48 years old, living in Newport Coast, California with my wife, our three children all under the age of ten, and a dog named Quincy. Our neighbors included Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone, Dean Koontz, and Vanna White; life was exceptionally good.
Later that year I was diagnosed with E O P D, Early Onset Parkinson's Disease. No pressure, right? The odds of my getting EOPD at that time was approximately 8, 1000th of 1%. If you're heading to Vegas anytime soon, take me with you!
Today, I'm going to leave you with Five Adaptive Principles that will help you abolish F.A.D, aka Fear, Apathy and Doubt. If you're sad, lonely, or depressed, F.A.D may have a hold on you.
Principle #1. - “The Only Constant in Life Is Change, Embrace It.” There's a saying in Ireland, “If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes,” and sure enough, the weather can change instantaneously. "Life is full of surprises. One day you could be smooth sailing, the next day you could be shipwrecked. No matter what state you find yourself in, embrace it, adapt to it, and find new purpose within it.
Principle #2. – “If You Think Things Can’t Get Worse, You’re Wrong, Press On.” Life can be unpredictable, and any one of us could find ourselves in a less-than-ideal situation. "All we can do in those circumstances is simply, Press On. Depression unscrambled spells… I pressed on.
Principle #3. “Control is an Illusion, Let Go of It.” There are at least fifty major health maladies wrought by Parkinson’s Disease. Most of them beyond our control. One of the most common symptoms is called a resting tremor. What's interesting about these tremors is when you try to suppress them, they intensify. That begs the question, why do we spend so much time and energy trying to control the uncontrollable?
To date, there is no clear cause, no remission, and no cure for Parkinson's. It is often referred to as the gift that keeps on taking.
Principle #4 – “Life Isn't Always Fair, Maintain Your Sense of Humor!” Good things happen to bad people, bad things happen to good people, there isn't always a rhyme or a reason, whatever happens maintain your sense of humor! Laughter is always your best medicine. I’d like to share a few of my favorite Parkinson's jokes, if that’s ok.
- I'm thankful I will never have to buy an electric toothbrush.
- Parkinsonian’s make the best Martini’s, “Shaken Not Stirred.”
- If Michael J. Fox were caught in a 9.0 earthquake, would he stand perfectly still?
- After 40 plus years in the moving and storage industry, who would ever have guessed, I would one day be a Mover and a Shaker.
Principle #5. There Are No Coincidences in Life, Just Miracles...See the Miracle. One morning, I received a phone call from a client named Diane, she was the manager of purchasing at U.C Irvine in Southern California. One of the largest research universities in the world. The purpose of her call was to ask me if I moved Science Labs, I said; “Of course Diane, What’s Up?”
She said, “I have a Senior Executive named Howard moving from Georgetown University to our Irvine Campus, in SoCal. He will be my boss’s boss, and if you mess this up, I'll lose my job.” I said, “No worries, Diane, I’ll take care of it.” We ended the call, and I called Howard.
I asked Howard my favorite question I asked all my executives, what is your biggest concern related to your relocation. He said, “Thank you for asking.”
“I have thirteen cryogenic freezers with 40,000 brain samples of people that have passed away with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, It’s my life’s work. If the temperature in these freezers increases or decreases by more than three degrees, it will compromise my samples. Can you guarantee me that won’t happen?”
Once I had picked myself up off the floor, I said, “Howard, you will be happy to know I have a vested interest in getting you out here in great shape.” He asked, “May I ask what that is? I responded I have Parkinson’s. He went silent for several seconds, and then asked, “Would you tell me about it.”
I am pleased to report, Howard's life's work arrived on time and intact, keeping hope alive for a Parkinson’s Cure one day soon. In the last half decade of my career, I moved to another one hundred science labs, their priceless cargo, all with the same results.
Coincidences? Not a chance! Every one of those lab moves was a miracle.
The next time you are faced with a Daunting Situation, take a Deep Breath, See the Miracle, and remember.
In the words of Michael Jackson, King of Pop. “If you want to make the world a better place, look at yourself, and then make a change.
In the media
References
- ↑ "Mark Colo, findcures.org – Global Business News". globalbusinessnews.net. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
- ↑ "The Noble and Great Ones: It's not about proportions, it's what's in the glass that matters most". amazon.com. Retrieved 15 November 2023.