Mark Coughlin, Wife Julie (my one and only married 1/04)
Marital Status:
Married (finally-ask my Mom-she thought I was gay-not that there is anything wrong with that!)
Children?
Two-Kendall, 18 months-Laurel, 12 Weeks _ Am I NUTS?
Grandchildren?
You kidding? People ask me if my kids are my grandkids!!
Hopefully==if I'm am alive
Education:
HHK PS#1, RHS and the School of Hard Knocks-drop out at Franklin Pierce, NH-how pathetic that?-However--I recently lectured at the Stanford and Harvard MBA school -(kids-don't do like I have)
Occupation:
evp/coo of the 2nd largest sport mktg co in the world (don't ask-moon, stars, pictures?)
Volunteer and Professional Activities:
Abysmal record of giving back-need to work on that. If nothing else, encourage the kids (interns, recent graduates) that I flog who insist they want to work in sports.
Current hobbies and interests:
Quieting crying babies, changing diapers, Wiggles, Dora the Explora-how pathetic is this? Flogging the Porsche-burning clutches and tires-(I'll show those kids in their Acuras!).
What percentage of your hair is visibly gray (is this a trick question?)
40-50% easy-really-my forehead was always that big!
If you had one year free of all responsibility and unlimited funds, what would you do?
easy-Compete in LeMans 24 hour race, Daytona 24, Sebring 12, Indy 500, Daytona 500-as a car owner--that fails--give a young racer a ride in where he belongs
What are the most rewarding things that you have done in your life?
Helped a young kid achieve his dreams in racing (Tony Renna, 7th '04 Indy 500)-unfortunately, he was killed testing at Indy. Saddest moment of my life-life changer and reality check (what am I doing-what am I here for?).
What rewarding things do you plan to do in your life?
Raise my girls-18 months and 12 weeks to be happy, confident and fun-loving-love my wife to death-even when she wants to kill me-which is more often than not (like I know how to make a baby shit!). Get closer to my brother and sisters.
What are your favorite non-family related things to do in your free time?
Wheel and deal in racing and weird race cars that I lusted for in my youth-I am fortunate my passion became popular. Drive at LeMans, Laguna, Spa in a proper race car that tests my cajones. Find the most interesting cars, restore and drive them at the places I read about in R&T as a kid (keep my dreams alive). Get my drivers, corporate or other clients the best deal ever-build on the “little bastard persona”-meaning I have no limits when representing them in areas unfamiliar to them.(Jerry McGuire) Dreams are powerful-how I dreamed my place in this very particular area of sports-is pure luck (gumption) -otherwise--I have no idea. It is always what I wanted to do-somehow a dream became a reality-the guys that are “stars” in are guys I've known when they we nothin-and neither was I (still not)!
How would you best describe your idea of "being successful?"
Wow-I am incredibly successful in terms that I defined a mere 2 to 5 years ago-let alone high school-I finally found a girl who would put up with my shit-wanted kids-and is the best mom (and Wife) ever. Success is now defined by others-my wife and kids. Career-wise-I am so far beyond what I think I “deserve”-but at the same time-wishing and wanting is unbeleiveably powerful”-wishing is powerful-PASS IT ALONG!
What are your most vivid memories of your days in Ridgewood?
I am a Hookie-As a kid--The incredible freedom of being a kid-when I was 6-12--I left my house on a Saturday at 8 AM and was told to be home for dinner at 6-we played with trains-on the tracks-BIG ones, we lit fires, we smoked skunk grass, we camped at the Saddle River, we flattened pennies under the trains-it was a great up-bringing. Rick Chilton-remember lighting the field on fire?
I broke my arm 7 times before 8th grade-I am fine today-let your kids explore the limits-if you try and confine-they will rebel!! Ask my Mom and Dad-I guess I'm not a good example!
Beyond that-in HS-WALKING-many miles-to find “the” party, Stealing bourbon or scotch from my dad who got cases at Xmas-getting drunk on the 3rd floor of my house, and sick from it and walking and stumbling many miles to “the party”. The, “Hello Mrs. Coughlin” -smiling-- Mosc, Troby, Joey McCarthy, Raven, Wooley and Badia bullshiting my poor Mom in thier enveitable Eddie Haskell-style that she swallowed on the way to the 3rd floor opium den of who-knows-what.
Another thrill--Setting time bombs with cigarette fuses on cherry bombs. I was my own Osama bin Coughlin. I am sure for you shrinks out there-this is quite telling.
What achievement or activity are you most proud of in your life?
Talk to me at 40-and it was all about-- “me”-I've recently had kids at 45 and 46-16 months apart-most will say-What are you thinking? I say-wow-- now --I know what you've been talking about for 20 years! Now I live to make my kids secure-they are only babies! My wife has wanted babies forever- I am blessed for having to been able to deliver and now I really know what life is about. Now I know I have wanted them too!
I say-Best thing that ever happended to me-I am slightly less selfish-I truly live now to provide for my family-I am last ,last, last in the pecking order of needs-and that is OK --- when my first 45 years were about me-me -me-and little else-this is a true life lesson.
What single piece of wisdom would you like to leave for the next generation?
Careful what you wish for-if you really want it-it is extremely likely to happen-strive-strive-strive---don't give up-visualize who you are and want to be -and that will be you-take it from a high school doper, college drop out-and unlikely success. Take chances-jump into the fire-imagine big, big, big.
How have you changed since high school?
Can you say George Costanza (body shape)? I'm appreciative-of the people around me, my family, those that have helped me, my limits and talents, and I can now ask for help and guidance. I've stopped smoking pot (really-unless you have some really good shit-find me at the reunion), its not about “me” anymore, I feel fortunate, am not afraid of dropping dead-but I am the life insurance king, North Carolina is now “the” place to raise my kids (lived in NJ, NY, CT, NH, MI, CA, KY and now NC). I have confidence-(off the cocky deal-I know my business-in and out) I want to re-connect-family and friends are much more important than anything-ah-wisedom.
Find me-re-introduce yourself-one can never have too many friends.
What else should we know about you?!
I try-to be a good person, the best daddy, and an ethical business person in a business with a less than stellar reputation. If you let me - a good friend.