He has previously served on the state Veterans Services Board, the House Science and Technology Committee, 1st Congressional District BRAC Task Force, Quantico Civilian-Military Council, and Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors.

From 1985 through 2012 Mark worked as a defense contractor supporting the Navy at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren, Virginia. He currently works as a Deputy County Administrator for Spotsylvania County.

From 1980 to 1985, he served in the U. S. Navy as Ordnance and Missile Officer on board the USS Mississippi (CGN 40). After active duty, Mark continued to serve in the Navy Reserve reaching the rank of Commander before retiring in 2004.

He is a graduate of Mary Washington College, Germanna Community College, and Western Kentucky University with degrees in Computer Science and Civil Engineering Technology.

Mark Cole has been active in his community as a Church Trustee, Sunday school teacher, youth soccer coach, and a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the Gideons, and the Ruritans. He has also been an active member of the Republican Party and has worked in the campaigns of several Republican candidates.

His wife, Genia, teaches kindergarten at Christ Chapel Academy in Woodbridge. They have four children.