Team Member Spotlight: Mark Swift - Penn-Mar

Team Member Spotlight: Mark Swift

Posted on April 23, 2021

Each month, we’re highlighting a “behind-the-scenes” team member whose work supports our mission, but whose face you might not often see on our social media pages.

We’re excited to help you get to know our innovative team and the complex work we do.

So, tune in for our #TeamMemberSpotlight, where our team members share in their own words a bit about themselves!


What is your job title?  

Quality Coordinator.  I work specifically with the Southwest and Southeast teams at the Westminster location of Penn-Mar.

What’s an average day like for you?

I really don’t have an average day.  I could work on making sure plans are correct to meet people’s wants and desires, making sure we have the right funding in place. Doing an investigation, assisting with job development.  I like not really having an average day.

What’s one thing you wish people realized about your job?

I deal with the routine documentation and occasional crisis for my job, but I love to hear about fun stuff and the “wins” for the people that we support.

In another life, your career path is . . .

My wonderful father talked me out of taking history in college and becoming a teacher he is/was. He admitted years ago that he ‘might’ have been wrong. Actually, I am quite happy in my career path.

Why is Penn-Mar’s mission important to you?

It strives for people to be who that are and what they want to be.

What’s one thing you wished the general public knew about people with IDD?

They are who they are and should be accepted just like we accept everyone for whom they are and want to be. I really don’t like to put labels on anyone. We are one and all different in ways. Perhaps that is our strength.

What’s your favorite food?

I like a lot of different foods. My wonderful wife is an excellent cook. However, it there is a default. You can never go too wrong with pizza.

Any hidden talents or fun facts someone wouldn’t know about you?

I was part of the historic weapons crew at Fort Pulaski in Georgia for about 9 years. We figured out once that we had over 1000 cannon firings during that time. I love history.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, you’d visit . . .

Need to visit the Custer Battlefield in Little Bighorn.

In your spare time, you’ll be found . . .  

Most mornings you can find me running with the dog (Remmie). I have been an active runner for about 30 years. Nothing gives me better start for the day than a good run.

A few of your favorite things . . . 

Favorite book is I, Claudius by Robert Graves,  TV show – Star trek (DS9), and long time Cleveland Browns football fan.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Anytime you see me on a Teams meeting from home there is sometimes a cat crawling on me and usually one someplace in the office at home. As I attempt to write this one cat is assisting/hindering me.

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