Mark began designing and inventing solutions both for himself and others soon after his plane crash in 2003 using his engineering background and experience teaching testing and quality to development groups at high-tech companies around the world.  Guided by an intimate understanding of the unique needs of wheelchair users with upper extremity limitations as a C5 Quadriplegic himself, Mark created Broadened Horizons to introduce solutions focusing on innovative simplicity to maximize cost efficiency, compatibility, reliability, and ease of use.

Mark Felling
15382 80th Place North, MN 55311
(612)851-1040 [H] or (763) 742-0612 [M]
View Mark Felling's profile on LinkedIn

OBJECTIVE
Business Development, Sales, and Marketing of Disability Oriented Products and services.
EXCEPTIONAL SKILLS PROFILE
Proven ability to adapt to dynamic situations, analyze and present complex issues in a structured, logical, and easy to understand manner, and generally do what it takes to get the job done.  
Infectious enthusiasm with an open-minded approach to product, services, and business planning
Exceptional customer relationship management skills with the demonstrated ability to bring troubled accounts back as satisfied clients
Interdisciplinary education and background complimented by technical, high-margin, value-added business development experience with a global market focus
Project management, prototyping, systems integration, efficiency improvement, and process development
Software development in C/C++ and Visual Basic including relational database design & implementation
Software quality assurance utilizing test automation techniques and technologies
Communicate in Spanish fluently, and basic understanding of Russian
Private Pilot, experimental aircraft reconstruction, maintenance, glass cockpit avionics & controls dev

EDUCATION
1/02 to 2/06
Regis University, Denver, CO
Master's of Business Administration

Highly accredited, self-motivated distance-learning program
Graduated with Honors (GPA: 4.0)
6/02 to 8/02
Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
Intensive Summer Russian Language / Culture Program

Established basic Russian language communication skills and developed a better understanding of Russian culture and Russian/CIS/US/Europe/Middle East business, political, interpersonal, and trade relations
1/00 to 5/00
Master of Space Studies (Coursework)

Commercialization of Space (International microeconomic relations between government and business)
GPA: 4.0
1/98 to 6/98
Exchange Program with North Dakota State University

Electrical Engineering, Mexican Cultural Studies, and Advanced Spanish Language Studies
Intensive language study at Center for Bilingual Multicultural Studies, Cuernavaca, Mexico in 1994
9/95 to 5/99
Custom Degree, BUS (focus: Electrical Engineering, Business and Intl. Studies)

Project Management, Marketing, Accounting, Management Information Systems, Circuits, Electronics, Electromagnetics, Microcomputer Interfacing, Statics, Dynamics, Kinematics, CADD, FORTRAN, C++, Assembly, Visual Basic, International Relations, Oral Communications, Spanish, and Philosophy
GPA: 3.00 + [approximated with foreign study] & 100% financed work, loans, and scholarships

EXPERIENCE
1/04 to Present
President / Self Employed

Inventor, development, sales, & marketing of innovative solutions for the mobility impaired focusing on wheelchair users with upper extremity impairments
Nonprofit development
6/00 to 7/03
TestQuest, Inc., Minneapolis, MN
Sales Development, Solutions Consultant, Technical Sales Account Manager, Trainer

Developed new group & programs within the company to expand business opportunities and improve sales organization's efficiency through worldwide lead generation, opportunity qualification, & market development
Relationship management & issue resolution on strategic international “red flagged” projects
Client-site deployment project management, formal training, and post-sale customer support
Received the “TestQuest President's Club 2001” Award for performance with “dedication and service”
Consultative architectural solution designs and implementation proposals ranging from 100K to 1 Million
Account Management of all technical sales activities required to close an account including client-site product demonstrations and presentations, multi-day evaluations, and proof of concept implementations for high-tech telecommunications and embedded systems clients including Motorola, AT&T, AOL, SUN, RCA, Intel, Microsoft, Compaq, Denso, Toshiba, Hughes, DIRECTV, Scientific Atlanta, Samsung (Korea), Sony (Japan), Toyo Corporation (Japan)
Automated Testing Specialist for Interactive TV, Handheld, and General Computing industry sectors
6/99 to 5/00
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL / Minneapolis, MN
Marketing Representative / Field Service Engineer

Graduate of prestigious Marketing Training Class 992, summer 1999
Attended and assisted in numerous sales and marketing programs at Tinaja Hills training facility in Tucson, AZ, interacting directly with dealers and customers as a Paving Specialist
Streamlined and improved a process to produce compaction marketing's machine sales history reports for better strategic analysis and more accurate long term forecasting
Developed PIC'M (Production In Costs Management) relational database system to calculate and manage machine owning and operating cost analyses and data as well as collect similar competitive information
8/97 to 12/99
FMS Computers  (Felling MicroSystems), Fargo, ND
Computing Technology Consultant / President

Managed all aspects of computing technology consulting firm serving a variety of local small businesses
Sales, marketing, design, and assembly of custom, special-order computer systems and services including networking, troubleshooting, repairs, upgrades, training, support, and custom database application design
Train, manage, and coordinate efforts of employees
1/96 to 1/98
Information Technology Services, NDSU - Fargo, ND
Multimedia Consultant, RESCON, Hardware Technician, Technical Consultant

Created a new RESCON consultant organization including establishing standard practices and procedures
Responsible for maintenance and configuration of all the Multi-Media Development Lab's advanced PC hardware and software
Acted as a resource to professors & students: answered questions, and taught computer training classes
Advised the NDSU Technology Committee on cost effective solutions and alternatives for the campus
5/97 to 9/97
Gremada Industries, Inc., West Fargo, ND
Computer Technician and Database Programmer (Coop / Intern)

Designed and wrote custom relational database applications based on MS-Access
Maintained and upgraded existing, and designed and built new computer systems to meet specific application needs in the shop such as machine automation and inventory management
Established a system including processes, templates, and methods to convert a library of employee instruction manuals to an electronic web-based intranet

5/96 to 8/96
County of Stearns, St. Cloud, MN
Assistant Engineering Technician (Coop / Intern)

Performed lab-based quality control testing on subcontractor's blacktop asphalt samples
Assisted in surveying of roadways, slope staking, blue-topping, seal coating, mapping, and easements
Developed a new database management system to track easements and right of ways
Prior to 96
Other Work Experience, MN

American Red Cross Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor
Agriculture - animal husbandry, crop production, heavy equipment operation
Carpenter - residential home construction
Auto Mechanic
HONORS AND
ACTIVITIES
October 25th, 07: Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota State Governor, appointed Mark Felling, President of Broadened Horizons, to the Governors Advisory Council On Technology for People with Disabilities for a 2 year term. [Appointment & Press Release PDF]  The Governors Advisory Council on Technology for People with Disabilities administers the Minnesota System of Technology to Achieve Results (STAR) program.  The STAR Program is federally funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration in accordance with the Assistive Technology Act of 1998.  Council consists of 16 members including 11 public members appointed by the governor and five members of designated state agencies.   Disability Minnesota - Gateway for Disability Information in Minnesota

Activities
The Sky Chairiot Project - The world's first truly wheelchair accessible airplane conceptually designed by Mark during the first two weeks of consciousness lying in the hospital with the goal of being the world's first quadriplegic to fly independently cross-country as pilot in command!
Volunteer consultant on project to bring satellite based communications and computing resources to the University of Carmen Pampa, an isolated, rural, resource limited facility high in the Bolivian Andes
Volunteer  member of International Executive Service Corps (IESC), and GeekCorps
Member of Experimental Aviation Association (EAA), and Aircraft Owners & Pilot's Association (AOPA)

TestQuest, Inc.
“TestQuest President's Club 2001” Award for performance with “dedication and service”

North Dakota State University
President, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) -- Fall 1997
Honorary Member, International Student Association, 1998 / 1999
NDSU Development Foundation Scholarship, 1995
Resident Assistant & Student Development Coordinator, 1996 / 1997
Summer Orientation Leader, 1996
Member, Men's Rugby Club, 1998 / 1999
Member, Association of Computer Machinery (ACM), Mini-Baja, Flying Club, Lincoln Speech and Debate Team, 1995 - 1997
Minnesota Governor's Scholar, 1994 / 1995

Mark's LinkedIn Professional Recommendations
Recommendations listed by position in chronological order, most recent at the top.
President at Broadened Horizons, Inc.

Michelle Hinn - hired Mark as a IT Consultant in 2007
“I just started working with Mark on a game industry project for gamers with disabilities and was quick to provide so many alternative solutions that I didn't know about. I will recommend him to my colleagues in the video gaming industry without a doubt. In just a short phone call we had the project mapped out, which went way beyond my expectations and is far and above any customer service I've received from any other company!” February 15, 2007
Top qualities: Personable, Expert, Creative
Sales Engineer / Customer Service / Sales Development at TestQuest, Inc.
June 2000-July 2003

Stan Tasker, Senior Sales Manager, TestQuest, Inc.
worked directly with Mark at TestQuest, Inc.
“Advanced problem solving skills, coupled with entrepreneurial spirit, were instrumental in Mark's success as a Solutions Engineer at TestQuest. Mark understands the value of listening to a customer to determine their true set of requirements, and he has the technical acumen to then respond and deliver against those requirements. There were numerous sales opportunities on which we worked together, where I can say with 100% conviction, that we would not have made the sale if Mark was not there to save the day.” December 14, 2007

Chuck Martel, VP, Professional Services, TestQuest, Inc.
managed Mark indirectly at TestQuest, Inc.
“Mark consistently demonstrated a great blend of technical skill, creativity and customer focus. His enthusiasm to solve customer needs fueled all his interactions -- both internally and externally.” December 12, 2007

Lynn Gregory, Sr. Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineer, TestQuest
worked with Mark at TestQuest, Inc.
“Mark is a great resource to have on your team. His is an innovative thinker who is flexible yet focused. His dedication and “can-do” attitude gave him the ability to solve difficult complex problems. Mark’s upbeat personality always made him a joy to work with.” December 11, 2007

Ed Grinvalds, Technical Support Engineering Manager, TestQuest, Inc.
managed Mark at TestQuest, Inc.
“As a Technical Support Engineer, Mark resolved complex customer technical issues. Mark also was given the opportunity to develop a product extension. This extension was to allow testing of multiple Digital Entertainment customer systems. It involved sw programming to integrate new hw. The product was completed on-time and within budget and is still successfully sold to customers today.” February 19, 2006

Mike Huang, Project Manager, TestQuest
worked directly with Mark at TestQuest, Inc.
“Mark is an exceptionally creative problem-solver who is driven to find the best solution for a problem. His fearless approach yields unique solutions to problems which may have been dismissed by others as impossible or impractical.” February 7, 2006

Neil Bedekar, Solutions Consultant Asia Pacific, TestQuest
worked directly with Mark at TestQuest, Inc.
“Mark's innovation and problem solving skills have helped a global profile of customers achieve their difficult automated testing goals.” February 6, 2006

Marshal H. Perlman, Product Manager, TestQuest
worked with Mark at TestQuest, Inc.
“Mark was one of the company’s primary problem solvers and served the company well in his various roles. He is well organized, goal oriented, and has the ability to interface with technical and management personnel. He repeatedly demonstrated that he understood the company’s atypical business model and did his best to help management meet their idealistic sales goals.” February 4, 2006