In 1990, Mark Merrill met with a small group of business leaders, moms, and dads in Tampa, Florida, all interested in launching a non-profit aimed at building strong families. The idea intrigued Mark, so he offered to support the effort. He expected his involvement to be simply financial, but after reading the requirements for the organization’s proposed leader, he felt a stirring in his heart. Mark shared the job description with his wife, Susan, and, after lots of prayer, moved from his career as an attorney to pursue non-profit work in January 1991. Mark became the founder and president of Family First, Inc., a national non-profit organization that provides online and on-the-ground resources that help people love their families well.
Mark desired to see families connect and grow, and specifically hoped to see fathers become more involved in their kids’ lives. In 1997, when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hired Head Coach Tony Dungy, another avenue was opened for Mark and Family First. Together with Tony, All Pro Dad was created.
Mothers continually wrote to Family First asking when they would see programming tailored for them. Both Susan and Mark saw the need and in 2007, Family First’s motherhood program, iMOM, was born with a similar, uplifting mission to All Pro Dad.
More than three decades after it was founded, Family First programming reaches millions of people annually through timely articles, online videos, podcasts, programs in schools across the nation, and stadium events.
Helping people to love God and love their families well is Mark’s priority. Success for Mark is sharing truth, love, and hope with people interacting with Family First and the next generation.
Mark’s nationally syndicated radio program, the Family Minute with Mark Merrill, reaches millions of daily listeners. His work has been featured in many respected publications including USA Today, the Washington Times, and Sports Illustrated. He’s also shared his story on numerous major broadcasting network shows and affiliates, including FOX and Friends and the Today Show. Mark wrote All Pro Dad – Seven Essentials to Be a Hero to Your Kids and has co-authored several
marriage and parenting books with his wife, Susan. As a public speaker, Mark has shared family-focused messages with major companies, NFL teams, organizations, and government bodies.
He and Susan have been married for over 34 years, live in Tampa, Florida, and have five children and two grandchildren.
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