Mark R. and Marcia P. Siewart
Mark R. Siewert graduated from Clarkson University with a bachelor of science in industrial distribution and began his career at Clow Corporation first as an application engineer, and later as a sales engineer. Marcia Siewert graduated from SUNY Oswego with a bachelor of science in elementary education, and earned a master’s degree from Nazareth College. After graduation she developed, executed, and taught a preschool program in a local YMCA building, called KinderCare. She later moved to Fairport, NY and taught kindergarten at Rochester area schools.
In 1974, Mark returned to his hometown of Rochester to work as a sales engineer and eventually as executive vice president of sales at Siewert Equipment Company, the business started by his father in 1949. In 1981, he became co-owner, along with his brother, and in 2003 became the sole owner and president & CEO. After a 35-year career in the family business, Siewert sold the business, but continues to serve as a consultant and board member.
Marcia and Mark married in 1981, and two years later their son, Mark Daniel, was born with a rare chromosomal abnormality which yielded multiple impairments and developmental disabilities. In 1986, their second son, Christopher, was born. In 2001, at 18, Mark Daniel required an intestinal surgery and was a patient of the Golisano Children's Hospital Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for eight and a half months. After multiple surgeries and complications, Mark Daniel passed away in July 2002, just after his 19th birthday.
Married for more than 40 years, the Siewerts have dedicated themselves to causes that support the needs of children in the Rochester area, including continuing to support both the Golisano Children's Hospital and the Mary Cariola Center. Mark serves as board chair for the Mary Cariola Foundation and is a board member, past chair, and on the executive committee of the Golisano Children's Hospital. He is a former board member and past chair of the Bivona Child Advocacy Center. Additionally, Mark has served on the boards of the Heritage Christian Foundation, the Al Sigl Foundation, McQuaid Jesuit High School, and the Rochester Area Community Foundation.