Mark Stern

As a result of 30+ years working in the professional marketing and sales fields, Mark enjoys teaching this Marketing Principles and Practices with UCLA Extension.  His career path started as a sales trainee, then a sales representative (for several industries), and eventually to a position as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for a privately owned business which was later acquired by a global corporation located in Belgium.  His responsibilities included developing and implementing marketing strategies, preparing sales forecasts and budgets as well as managing sales teams and distributorships. Mark has  been fortunate to travel on business to various countries around the world, and continues to learn how competition and globalization require professionals in the marketing, sales and related positions to continuously learn new skills, techniques and models. 

Prior to semi-retiring in 2005, Mark’s field of expertise was in the plastics processing industry for companies that served the medical device industry throughout the U.S., Mexico and Europe for over 20 years.  He has continued to work as a part-time Independent Sales Representative for a Danish company as their U.S. voice and expert in developing new business and managing existing trust-based relationships.

Teaching has become Mark’s passion for the last 15 years.  He initially taught at CSU Northridge (where he graduated with a B.S. in Business and Marketing), and has been an instructor with both UC Irvine Extension and UCLA Extension for the last 12 years.  Mark’s university business courses have included Professional Selling, Entrepreneurship, Ethics in Marketing and Advertising, Professional Sales Bootcamp, and this current course of Marketing Principles and Practices.

In his spare time, Mark enjoys living near and walking along the Pacific Ocean; reading business books, magazines and newsletters which keep him updated; and traveling with family.  Also he volunteers as a mentor in business entrepreneurship at various Los Angeles schools as well as coach prior students who have become successful mangers and business owners.