Mark Murphy
Boomer Esiason Foundation 2003 Most Valuable Player
Mark A. Murphy is Vice President of Hardlines Sourcing and Account Management for Target Corporation. Target is based in Minneapolis and is a leading retailer in the United States, servicing guests with its three operating companies -- Marshall Fields, Mervyn's and Target stores.
During Mark's tenure at Target, he has been involved in the electronics, home decor, jewelry/accessory, shoe, men's clothing, garden place and home improvement divisions. He has been a leader in building Target as a national retailer and developing many new supplier relationships and merchandising strategies for Target stores. Mark's commitment to developing people and building strong teams is key to much of the success he has enjoyed in his career at Target. In his current role, Mark is devolving a worldwide sourcing team to meet the product needs of Target Corporation's buyers and guests who shop the stores. He is responsible for the sourcing of products out of 56 countries and leading the team in more than 40 international offices. Over the years, Mark has been recognized many times by both Target and the supplier industry for outstanding performance and leadership.
Mark sets high standards for performance in everything his does, and he has used his drive to be the best to raise more than $1.3 million in the past three years for the Boomer Esiason Foundation. After meeting Boomer and Gunnar four years ago, Mark started a one-day golf tournament at Minneapolis Country Club that benefits the Foundation. Many great relationships between the Foundation and Target vendors have been formed through the tournament, as the manufacturers get increasingly involved both with the event and with BEF. The key to
meeting the fundraising goal for this year's tournament -- more than $400,000 -- are corporate partnerships, as is the case with all Foundation fundraising efforts.
Target Corporation is a leader in giving back to the community. The Target Foundation "gives back" more than $1 million per week, and Mark is an active member in many of the volunteer opportunities the Target Foundation supports. He also has been involved in raising money for Habitat for Humanity, Target House at St. Judes in Memphis, and the Children's Cancer Research Fund.
Prior to Joining Target Corporation, Mark was one of the original merchants at Best Buy Corporation. He spent seven years at Best Buy and was involved in taking Best Buy from a company with stores only in Minneapolis-St. Paul to new markets across the United States. Also during his tenure, Best Buy went from a privately held company to a public traded corporation, and Mark was actively involved in the first public stock offering. Mark was born and raised in Minnesota. He attended St. Cloud University and holds a bachelor's degree in marketing and advertising.
Mark lives in Plymouth, Minn., with his wife, Ellen, and three children -- Maddie, Marshall and Alistair.
