S. MARK BARNES

BIO

As an attorney for the Internal Revenue Service, I am obviously one of the most popular members of society. The question is, how did I get to where he is today?

I grew up ten miles north of Salt Lake City, Utah, the "proud" host city of the 2002 Winter Olympics. From a young age, I grew up watching Perry Mason and wanting to be a lawyer. Only later in life did he begin wondering if there could be more to a career than just the practice law. Life offers too many interesting options to be confined to just one. I have been fortunate to be able to pursue interests in many different areas.  

Shortly after turning nineteen (1978), I went to Japan, where I spent two years as a missionary. During that time I learned to speak the language, and grew to love the culture. In 1986, I attended a program held at the University of Tokyo for American law students. I have had the opportunity as an attorney to combine my interest in Japan with work that I have performed in international tax cases. I am still fascinated by the Japan’s language, culture, law and politics, and continue to study the language everyday.

After returning from Japan, I completed a BA in Economics at the University of Utah, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1982. As an undergraduate student, I developed a passion for economics. It was economics, which attracted me to tax law. Thus in 2002, when I was given the opportunity to pursue additional studies in the area and to teach economics for the University of Phoenix, I jumped at the chance. Five years later, I was provided a similar opportunity to study and then to teach finance. Today, I teach law, economics and finance at for the university.

In High School, my best friend earned his private pilot certificate at seventeen. He was two years my senior, but we both loved flying. For a year, we spent every dime they could earn on flying. However, life soon intervened and I temporarily set aside my goal of becoming a pilot. Now at age 52, I have returned to this goal. My daughter and I are enrolled in fight school. We both should have his private pilot certificates this year. I hope to ultimately obtain my instructor rating. In addition to my daughter, I also has three sons, all of whom are now in their twenties. My oldest son is currently a student at the University of Phoenix. I also have two grandsons, and a third grandson is scheduled to arrive in May.

Since 1982, when I learned how to use a Wang word processing system, I have been excited about computers and technology. The typical nerd, you can spot me in most places with a laptop bag on my shoulder and an iPad in my hand. I am thrilled to see the university take the lead in using social media as a new way of expanding education. In 2005, I started my own website as a teaching tool. (http://markbarnes.us.) I am a strong believer in the power of networks and the value of an interconnected world. I recently started working with the team at PhoenixConnect and I am serving as the Community Owner for the School of Business’ Community on PhoenixConnect.

You can find a detailed profile at: http://www.linkedin.com/in/smarkbarnes