2009 Mark Lacek (B.S. '79)
Entrepreneur
2009 Mark Lacek
After earning his Bachelor's Degree in Economics from UW-River Falls in 1979, Lacek launched a career in both the transportation and loyalty marketing industries.
Lacek began his career in strategic planning at Republic Airlines. After the merger of Republic and Northwest Airlines, Lacek became director of marketing for Northwest Airlines and was chosen by Advertising Age magazine as "one of Americas best and brightest in advertising and marketing." In this capacity, Lacek was responsible for WorldPerks, Northwest Airlines frequent flyer group. In 1993 Lacek co-founded the Lacek Group Worldwide. Under his leadership, the Lacek Group was responsible for the re-launch and management of Delta Sky Miles program and managed loyalty programs for such global brands as National Car Rental, Starwood Hotels and Singapore Airlines. In 1998, Lacek was honored as Ernst and Young's Entrepreneur of the Year-Midwest Region.
More recently, Lacek has served as CEO and president of Milepoint, an internet loyalty application and technology company and is co-founder of BidPal Technologies, which focuses on creating wireless devices for charitable and silent auctions, and Bonfire Partners, a full service loyalty and brand marketing agency. Lacek is also a managing partner of Denali Marketing.
Lacek is the founder and chairman of Faith's Lodge, and 80-acre retreat for parents who have suffered the loss of a child and parents who have chronically ill children. He is a board member for Growth and Justice and a member of the UWRF College of Business and Economics advisory board.
In addition to his degree from UWRF, Lacek holds an M.B.A. from the University of St. Thomas.
