Mark Gress Jr. has been the director of recruiting for Prodigy Sports since January 2015. Earlier in his career, he spent three years as senior executive recruiter for one of Prodigy Sports' main competitors, Turnkey Sports & Entertainment, where he filled numerous senior-level positions with organizations in the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS, NCAA and Motorsports.

Most recently, Gress served as interim director of career education for Arcadia University where he developed and implemented all career-related strategic plans for the entire campus community. Prior to that, he spent four years in Drexel University's Steinbright Career Development Center (Steinbright) as the career counselor for all sport management students and alumni, and business administration majors enrolled in the Co-op program. He also led a team that was tasked with co-op and full-time job development for all majors both nationally and internationally. During his time there, Gress won a President's Award and two internal department awards. Additionally, he was responsible for Steinbright achieving 100% participation in the "Why I Give" fundraising campaign.

For the last three years, he has served as an adjunct professor for Drexel's graduate sport management program. Additionally, he continues to participate in Drexel LeBow's UNIV 101 Part 2, as an outside reviewer.

Gress lives with his wife, Kristine, and son, Mark III, in Philadelphia. He received the Emerging Leader Award at Alumni Weekend 2015.

Why did you go to Drexel?

The Co-op program was the primary reason. The fact that my résumé would be more powerful than most non-Drexel students – including our neighborhood Ivy League friends – really excited me.

If you could share a meal with anyone – dead or alive – who would it be and why?

Instead of defaulting to a famous person or historical figure, I'd have to say my Mommom Finn. She passed away more than 10 years ago but I was lucky enough to have her in my life for as long as I did. I would cherish the opportunity to tell her how much I love her and miss her over some pierogis and kielbasa.

What are you most proud of?

I would humbly say that I am most proud of accomplishing everything that I have in my career at such a young age, while not sacrificing a work-life balance. Obviously my career is very important but my wife and son are my top priority and I never want them to feel like they are taking a back seat.

What three words best describe you?

Dedicated, innovative, easygoing.

If you could say "thank you" to someone at Drexel who would it be and why?

Not just one person. I owe a great deal of gratitude to Drexel's Sport Management program, Athletics, LeBow College of Business, and the Steinbright Career Development Center. They gave me so much as a student, and have continued to be a major part of my success since graduating.