Mark John Robertson

Mark was born on June 29, 1960, in Reno, Nevada, to Robert and Nona Robertson. He grew up in a large and happy family with five brothers and sisters. Much of his childhood was spent getting into antics – at the Governor’s mansion next door, in the family’s station wagon on the way to camping trips, and during summers on Aunt Annie’s farm. When Mark was nine, the family moved east to McLean, Virginia, so that his father could serve in the Nixon administration. It was there that Mark developed a passion for government and politics, although he also held and enjoyed a number of odd jobs in between, including newspaper salesman and writer, bluegrass radio DJ, blackjack dealer (possibly while underage), carpenter for a portion of I-66 in Arlington, and short-order cook.

As a high school student, Mark served for four years as a Senate Page, where he developed many lifelong friendships and which inspired his adult professional life. After graduating, Mark joined Senator John Warner’s staff, where he spent seven years in various positions, moving from the mailroom to the legislative staff and working on important issues in defense, foreign affairs, and intelligence. (He was also tasked with driving Elizabeth Taylor’s convertible back to California. Unbeknownst to Mark and his brother Tom as they drove cross-country, the trunk was filled with fur coats, which was quite a shock for the traffic cop who stopped them for speeding.) Next, Mark became staff director to Congressman Stan Parris and served as staff director of the House Standing Committee on the District of Columbia. One of Mark’s proudest accomplishments was working on the authorization funding for the Korean War Memorial, in honor of his father.

After his time on the Hill, Mark joined the lobbying firm of Gold and Liebengood, where he launched a successful international trade practice, serving clients such as the government of Mexico and lobbying for NAFTA. Mark then went on to establish the firm of Janus Partners, which became Janus-Merritt Strategies, and later Williams Mullen Strategies. There, he represented a variety of companies, including Cemex, Grupo Maseca, and Banorte, as well as the tuna, crab, shrimp, and lobster industries. Finally, he founded Potomac Global Advisors, and worked extensively in Romania, China, Russia, Moldova, Bulgaria, Argentina, Ecuador, and El Salvador on project development and funding. Mark’s proudest professional accomplishment towards the end of his life was his work with his friends at Velary – building from the ground up new technology for surveillance, science, medicine, firefighting, and everything in between. He believed that this work would change the world, and he regretted not being able to see it brought fully to fruition.

In his personal life, Mark was an avid chef who owned pretty much every kitchen gadget ever invented. He rejoiced in spending time with family and friends and serving them way too much food, from bacon lollies to whole roasted pig to salt-encrusted fish. During the pandemic, Mark started producing a personal blend of ground meat, sausages, and meatballs, which he proudly packaged and delivered to friends and neighbors. Mark loved hosting Thanksgiving, working his way up through the years to three turkeys (smoked, rotisserie, and fried), prime rib, homemade rolls, and many sides. He was a carpenter, builder, and fixer of all things, mostly for others. Over the years, Mark built more decks, sheds, kitchens, playhouses, bathrooms, and furniture than we can count.

Mark was incredibly proud of his three grown sons, John, Chris, and Robbie, and was blessed to see them find love, start families, and launch successful careers.

Later in life, Mark met and married the love of his life, Mai. He was a devoted father to their three young children – Matthew, who shares his passion for building and figuring out how things work, and his two little girls, Margot and Mila, who had him wrapped around their tiny fingers.

In his final weeks, Mark found peace in knowing that he made every effort to fight this disease by trying all of the treatments and trials available to him. His unwavering optimism and strength during these two challenging years allowed him to spend time with his mom down in Smithfield, take family vacations to the beach and Paris, host many meals, and “relish” in the everyday life of having young kids.

Mark is survived by his mother, Nonnie; his wife, Mai, and their children Matthew, Margot, and Mila; his sons John (Ciera), Christopher, and Robbie (Sarah); his grandchildren Zane, Alessa, and Dale; his siblings Rob (Magdalena), Jessica, Nona (Steve), Tom (Marcelle), and Heather; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, Robert.

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In October 2023, with stage 4 cancer and only months after a critical hospitalization, Mark completed a 25-mile Bellringer bike ride to raise money for the fight against cancer. In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting or riding with Mark Robertson’s Ringers to celebrate Mark finally being cancer-free. https://ride.bellringer.org/team/markrobertsonsringers398