Mark Valente III

It is with heavy hearts that we announce that on the evening of August 3, 2016, Mark Valente III passed away in his home after a brief illness. Mark was born July 27, 1956 in Detroit and raised in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan until moving to suburban Washington in 1984. Mark was a graduate of the Villanova University School of Business and the University of Detroit School of Law.

Mark began his Washington career in 1984 in the White House, Office of Public Liaison, during the first Reagan term. He assisted in the 1984 presidential reelection campaign which returned President Reagan to office in a landslide victory. In 1986, he became Director of the Coalition Development Department at the Republican National Committee and concurrently worked on the 1988 Bush-Quayle campaign. In 1989 Mark was appointed Director, Office of Congressional Relations, at the US Office of Personnel Management. After leaving government service, Mark formed a Washington, DC-based government relations firm, Valente & Associates, providing legislative analysis and government relations advice. He worked there until his death.

Mark was a board member of the National Italian American Foundation and the United States Capitol Historical Society. Also, he chaired the Board of the Center for Marketing and Public Policy Research at Villanova University School of Business. A lifetime Detroit Tigers fan, he was a long-time supporter of the Baseball Hall of Fame (HOF) and a member of its Champions Program. He was a frequent host of and participant in HOF events in Washington, DC and other baseball cities.

Mark is survived by his wife Claudia Barker Valente, Mother Maria (Ballerini), father Marco Jr., brothers JB, Richard, and Dean. Mark was predeceased by his grandparents Valente and Ballerini.

A memorial service is planned for September. In Lieu of flowers, contributions can be directed to the scholarship being established in the name of Mark Valente III at Villanova University School of Business, ATTN: Clay Center at VSB, 800 E. Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA 19085.

Arrangements under the direction of Demaine Funeral Home, Springfield, VA.