Name: Mark Lawson

Date of birth: Oct. 1, 1965

Political party: Republican

Elected position you are seeking: Beaufort County Council District 9

Number of years living in the district you seek to represent: 16 years

Family: Wife Joy Lawson, three children

Education: Washington & Jefferson College, Washington Pa., Bachelor of Arts in business administration

Current occupation/employer: Servpro of Beaufort County, relations manager

Employment, military and volunteer history:

Employment

2008-13 -- Relations manager/sales and marketing manager, Servpro of Beaufort County; 1996-2008 -- Real estate broker, developer and builder, Heritage Lakes Associates and Argent Realty; 1992-2013 -- Small business owner, Last Minute Tee Times Inc. ; 1990-92 -- Real estate agent, Spinnaker Resorts; 1988-90 -- Insurance agent, Seubert & Associates; 1988 -- Licensed stock broker, Hibbard & Brown.

Volunteer

2000-12 -- Board of directors, Bluffton Youth Sports, four years as president; 1990-13 -- Member Hilton Head Presbyterian Church, served as deacon and elder; 1999-13 -- Volunteer youth coach; 1992-13 -- Volunteer in the public school system.

Please list all public offices to which you've been elected, when and where: None

Please list any unsuccessful runs for public office and when: None

Other prior political and government experience: None

Key endorsements you've received: None with recognizable names and long titles.

Contributions: $350, as of Jan. 9

Expenditures: $233, as of Jan. 9

Biggest contributors: Mark Lawson

Why should people vote for you?:

I am not a millionaire or a career politician. I have been asked to run by my other associate volunteers and encouraged to run by my fellow neighbors, peers and family. My experience as a small-business owner, employer, property owner, husband, father, church leader, volunteer and coach has given me a well-rounded perspective of what is important for our county, both now and in the future. My wife and I have lead by example by sacrificing our time and energy to make our community a better place.

What are the three most important issues you would address if elected? How?

One of the largest issues that we will encounter is how we can continue to offer and maintain current county services on a predicted declining budget.

What specific steps will you take to make government more open and accessible to the public?

I personally will be available through phone, email, media and personal availability. On the county level, we need to continue to offer as many outlets through online, media and public accessibility.

Have you ever been convicted of a crime (felony), been disciplined by a professional licensing board or organization or had an ethics violation filed against you? No

Have you ever filed for bankruptcy, been delinquent on your federal, state or local taxes? No

Are there any personal details about yourself that voters would be interested in knowing?

I grew up one of eight children on a small, 40-acre farm. The values my parents taught me and the strong work ethic that I learned are a large part of who I have become today.