As the former CEO of the Watkins Company, MARK JACOBS helped transform the 156-year-old, Minnesota-based direct selling company into one of America’s fastest growing natural home care, personal care and organic flavoring companies. In 2018 Mark sold the J.R. Watkins home and personal care division to Swander Pace Capital. After five years of consistent profitable growth, in 2024 Mark then sold majority interest in the Watkins spice, extract and flavoring business to KDSA Partners and Cannae Holdings (NYSE: CNNE). As Vice-Chairman Mark holds a significant stake in The Watkins Company and remains an active board member. Raised in Minneapolis, Mark graduated from Brown University. He has two children who recently graduated from college and whom he raised at his bison ranch near Watkins headquarters, and also in Los Angeles. Today Mark resides in Austin, Texas but continues to spend considerable time in Los Angeles and Winona, Minnesota. He is actively involved in both the Austin and the Angeleno Gold YPO Chapters. You will often see Mark traveling with his German Shepherd Taz by his side.