| Membership level: Hall of Fame Mark Litzsinger Inductee Year 2024 |  |
| Mark Litzsinger is a product of the Hinsdale school system, which he entered in third grade at Oak School and continued through graduation from Hinsdale Central High School. At Hinsdale Central, Mark honed his tennis with legendary Hinsdale coach Jay Kramer and played on the two-time state championship tennis team. After graduating in 1974, Mark attended college at Texas Christian University, where he continued to play tennis. He was president of his fraternity, Phi Kappa Sigma, which recently honored Mark by naming him 2023 Alumnus of the Year of Phi Kapp Sigma International Fraternity. Upon graduation from Texas Christian U in 1978, Mark entered the family business at the ground level as an assistant store manager for the Follet Corporation. There he climbed the corporate ladder through the management ranks to reach chairman of the board at age 47. The company grew from $1 billion at the start of his chairman term to $2.7 billion when he retired at age 55 in 2011. It was while he was chairman that Mark suffered his most devastating bout with depression, one that he recovered from with the help of his family and Dr. William Scheftner of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, among others. As a result of his experience with depression, Mark wrote a book to help those suffering from depression, their loved ones and medical personnel. The most recent version, Climbing Toward the Light, is the third updated edition of the book. All royalties from the book go to psychiatry research at Rush University Medical Center. In addition, he speaks often about depression and his story to remove the stigma and to raise awareness of the disease. Mark is also a producer of a feature film in development based on his life story and book on depression. Mark enjoys raising and showing champion Samoyeds (Sanibel, Aston, and Benz), which fueled his inventor spirit. He invented and patented the LeashGrip and LeashGrip Extender for walking multiple dogs, and has a car barrier for SUVs currently in development. He also collects antique cars, including a 1935 Packard Twelve 1207 Coupe Roadster. As a philanthropist, Mark gives back generously. At Texas Christian U, he actively sponsors the tennis team and emerging tennis players. He supports his fraternity’s Texas Christian U chapter through funding leadership activities and scholarships. He also donates his time and resources to Social Ventures Partners, Music Will and Fido Pet Food Bank. Mark also serves on Hinsdale Central’s 50th Reunion Committee as he did on the 40th. He recently expanded his philanthropy by founding a philanthropic trust to benefit organizations that reflect his passions and those of his family and friends. Family continues to be central to Mark’s life. At his homes in Lake Forest and Florida, he enjoys playing tennis and spending time with his many friends and family members, including his 93-year-old father, Dick, and his four younger siblings: Robin, Heidi, Shawn and Todd, and their families. Thirty-four nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews benefit from time spent with their Uncle Mark. |
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