Mark Vargas
Age: 38
Title: President
Name of Organization: Licentiam
Mark Vargas is a trusted adviser and close confidante to some of the highest-profile political and business leaders in America. He is widely respected as a tech entrepreneur in health care, and as a political opinion writer and advisor. He has appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Daily Herald, Huffington Post, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, CBS Chicago, ABC 7 Chicago, ABC News, CNBC, Fox Business and the Fox News Channel.
From 2007 to 2010, Vargas served as a civilian within the Office of the Secretary of Defense on a special Iraq task force. The task force specialized in rebuilding Iraq’s and Afghanistan’s war-torn economies by attracting foreign direct investment opportunities and helping to facilitate public-private partnerships to create jobs and drive down the high unemployment associated with terrorist-related activities.
In 2009 he was awarded the Secretary of Defense Global War on Terrorism Civilian Service Medal. His civilian service at the Defense Department included 14 trips to Baghdad spanning two administrations.
Vargas is a regular panelist and guest speaker on issues related to entrepreneurship, technology and innovation, political affairs, media strategy and foreign policy. Vargas is a contributor for the Washington Examiner and Newsmax.
In March 2019, Judson University’s World Leaders Forum announced, “Conversations with Mark Vargas,” a highly influential speakers’ series where Vargas invites some of the most recognizable names in business and politics to join him for an informal, one-on-one conversation covering a wide range of topics. His inaugural guest launching his new speaker series was billionaire entrepreneur and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. Vargas earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Judson University where he served as student body president.
“Mentors provide invaluable advice, but if you want to boost your career, find your sticks of dynamite which will blow down doors and create instant opportunities for you.” –Mark Vargas
