Mark Jones, Executive Director
Mark is a native Memphian and a graduate of Kirby High School. Mark attended Marion Military Institute where he obtained A.A. degree in Business. Mark served as President of Student Council for 2 years, an Honor Council member, and was also awarded a U.S. Army R.O.T.C scholarship while at Marion Military Institute. Mark received his Presidential Commission in 1991, at the age of 19, to become one of the country’s youngest United States Army Officers. Mark served in the Tennessee National Guard for 4 years receiving an Honorable Discharge as a First Lieutenant. Mark received his B.S. degree from Lambuth University in 1994, majoring in Marketing. Mark has held key positions within the real estate lending divisions of several Fortune 500 companies. Some titles Mark has held include Branch Manager for Wells Fargo Financial, Regional Vice President for Corwest Banc in Orange, CA, and Area Manager for Conseco out of Indianapolis, Indiana and Countrywide out of California. Mark relocated back to Memphis in 2001 and earned a Six Sigma Blackbelt from Conseco in 2002. In 2003, Mark took over the Real Estate Lending Division for Aames Home Loan in Memphis, TN. Mark is a member of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church where he is a member of the Deacon Board, Men’s Ministry, Chairman of the Pledge Committee and Director of the Boys II Men Ministry. Mark has won several community awards including a Citizenship Award for outstanding community service. Mark is a recent graduate of the Leadership Memphis Fasttrack Program”.


Ted Houston, Program Director
Ted is a native Memphian and a graduate of Wooddale High School. Ted is also a proud graduate of Lane College (Jackson, TN). While at Lane, he served as business manager of the concert choir, which traveled across the United States. He also served as the Polemarch for the Beta Lambda Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and he was also a member of the Guide Right Committee, which offered support and guidance to area youth.
Ted received his B.S degree in 1992 with a double major in business and science. Since completing his education from Lane College his degree has taken him to companies such as Atlanta Life out of Atlanta, GA, Norwest Financial as Credit Manager, Ameriquest Mortgage as Branch Manager, Aames Home Loans as Branch Manager and Sales Manager with Home Funds Direct. Ted is a member of Zion C.M.E Church where he is the Minister of Music and a member of the steward board. Ted has put together many benefit concerts with proceeds going back to the local church.