Mark Simon developed his own successful business as a general contractor, based on broad experience in working for others and managing their operations. He quickly became an acknowledged expert in his field, including code development, design of new equipment, and design and implementation of course-work, training, evaluation and emergency management. His lifelong pattern of high energy and curiosity were left after an industrial accident, and thirty-eight operations later he remains a burr under the saddle of all who either don't understand, or wish to ignore, people with disabilities.

He became a role model for survival and a respected resource for the disabled community, and an advocate who has managed to move mountains for others. Additionally, he served for many years on the Board of Directors for the Disability Center for Independent Living, an organization dedicated to assisting and supporting people with disabilities to live in their community, not in an institution., and presently is an active participant on a number of public policy issues, including Medicaid and Social Security reforms, as they affect people with disabilities. Because he recognized that there is strength in numbers he began by founding a program to increase equal opportunities for the disabled both indoors and outdoors, and pressured the Eagle County Commission, the US Forest Service and Vail Associates into sponsoring and implementing it.

Since 1988 he has been the State Coordinator for the disabled community for lobbying at the General Assembly and Administration, has authored numerous pieces of legislation and guided them through to become law, and has been instrumental in forming programs to train and support disabled lobbyists, including those with severe disabilities. He has been actively involved in numerous organizations ranging from serving as a Board member for the Better Business Bureau to the Colorado Legislative ADA Committee. Appointed by Governor Roy Romer to the Governor's Advisory Council for Persons With Disabilities in 1995 to serve as the 'start-up' chair of this new commission, to advise the Governor and Legislature, oversee ADA implementation, and provide coordination and advocacy. He continued to serve as a Council member for 11 years. He has been instrumental in establishing and/or augmenting a number of the organizations in Colorado, which focus on the needs, and resources of the disabled community, and which as a matter of policy involve the disabled community in their own representation.

In 1995 he received the Advocate of the Year Award for Colorado from the Colorado designee for the US President's Committee On Employment Of People With Disabilities of which he also served as a member. He was also appointed by the Governor to the Colorado Rehabilitation Advisory Council to revamp it to conform to changes in Federal law, where he served for 3 yrs. He helped found a coalition of organizations, which enables them to work together, and currently chairs an organization taking the lead in reforming Colorado's Medicaid program as it serves people with disabilities.

On a national level he has served as an appointee on The President's Committee for the Employment for Person's with Disabilities, was trained as an ADA trainer, and has provided consultant and volunteer services to varied agencies, including the U S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Interior Dept. (reviewing regulations for the ADA) and the Department of Justice. Attorney General Janet Reno awarded him a commendation for having the highest ADA settlement rate in the nation (167 of 171 cases assigned). He has frequently served as an expert witness. In 1997 he was chosen by Gov. Romer to help develop policy and procedures relating to the disability community for the Democratic National Committee. He has held/holds six Gubernatorial, Presidential and Senate appointments.

Among the accomplishments of the past 20 years is the success of his marriage and his role of father to a son. He has helped others survive and retain family ties and done the same for himself. Those familiar with the experience of people with disabilities know that this is no small achievement.

Many of those who meet him for the first time in an adversarial situation come to respect and appreciate his even handed and factually oriented negotiations. His encyclopedic knowledge of the laws governing these matters, his relationships with resource agencies, his total determination and commitment, and his respect for the individuals involved are vital to results which all sides can agree on and support.

He also holds the distinction of being the first person with a disability in Colorado to attain Firefighter I certification and served as the Equipment and Training Officers, Assistant Chief and Incident Commander for his local fire protection district.