A Tampa native, Mark Sharpe was elected to the County Commission District 7 seat in 2004. He was re-elected in 2006 to serve a full, four-year term. In November, 2007 Sharpe was chosen by his colleagues to serve as the Board’s Vice Chairman.

Sharpe represents the Board of County Commissioners on Tampa Bay Water and currently serves as its Chairman. He also is Chairman of the Health Care Study Committee, which reconvened in May, 2009 to evaluate Hillsborough Health Care, the County’s managed care program for uninsured, low-income residents.

Prior to his election, he served eight years as an active-duty officer in the U.S. Navy. He retired after two decades of service, which included 12 years in the U.S. Naval Reserves. After receiving a bachelor's degree in multinational business from Florida State University, he earned a master's degree in strategic studies from the University of South Florida.

Sharpe is working to address the transportation needs of our community by emphasizing a regional, multi-modal solution. He is an active member of the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority, Metropolitan Planning Organization and Hillsborough County’s Transportation Task Force.

Economic growth and workforce development comprise his other top priorities in office. He is on the board of directors for Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance and, in July, 2008, Governor Crist appointed Sharpe to the state workforce board, Workforce Florida, Inc.

Additionally, Sharpe serves on the following boards and committees: Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Council, Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group, Hospital Authority, and Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful.