“Always being able to think on the fly and problem solve is a necessity in this role” Our Employee...
Fifteen years, countless projects, and a journey from video tech to team manager – meet the maestro behind the scenes for our Procter and Gamble partnership – Mark Nierlich. As an Event Operations Manager, he ensures projects run smoothly by managing the events calendar, assigning project leaders, connecting them with clients, handling quick turn quotes and Statements of Work (SOWs), overseeing equipment inventory and maintenance, advising staff, and refining internal processes. He masterfully balances family, leadership, and the daily challenges of complex scheduling. Check out Mark’s interview below!
How long have you been at Mills James?
I started in February 2009, so I guess that makes it 15 years with Mills James.
What did your life look like before MJ?
I was working for another event production company based in Covington, Kentucky. I traveled a lot and worked a ton of nights and weekends. I was engaged to my current wife (married in Oct 2009) and didn’t have kids yet, just a small dog named Pixel. I was searching for a job with a better life balance for a family and found it here with MJP at P&G.
What led you to a career in this industry?
I went to the University of Cincinnati at the College Conservatory of Music. My major was electronic media, and I was concentrating on video production and editing. A family friend was related to the owner of the AV company I worked at right out of college. I did an internship there for a few months in college, then became part time, then full time after I graduated. I worked there for 6 years as a video tech and AV technician.
What is a project that you’ve worked on that sticks out to you?
One of my favorite projects over the years was the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) tradeshow in Palm Beach Florida for Procter and Gamble. Our team managed the AV in 2 customer meeting rooms in the Breakers Hotel. The client included us in their dinners and activities outside of working hours and I developed strong ties with that client. We still support the event to this day, but I've had the honor to pass it along to other techs to continue the client relationship.
What is your favorite part of being on the Operations team?
I like being available to share my acquired knowledge and assist the team where needed. Schedule management is often a puzzle waiting to be solved and it is rewarding when things work out as planned.
Tell us about a professional success story that you’re proud of.
I would say that I'm proud to be managing the Cincinnati event team and to have earned their respect to make proper decisions for the team. I never wanted to be a manager of people, but I never had a doubt that I couldn’t do the job, especially with the talented and dedicated group we have here.
Describe an interesting hobby or pastime that you have.
In my off-time I like to spend time with my wife Jamie, two daughters Iris (age 10), Emmy (age 7), and our 1-year-old Bernedoodle named Penelope. Together we read books, practice sports, listen to music, and watch movies. I have a pop-up camper that we try to take out to local parks several times a year. Playing my guitar helps me relax and wind down at home. I enjoy cooking and grilling. Occasionally, when I have spare time, I'll get my supplies out and brew a batch of beer (usually an IPA of some sort). I also enjoy working on my car and doing routine maintenance around my house.
What are you looking forward to in your future?
I’m looking forward to warm summer weather, swimming with my family, summer festivals, and outdoor concerts.
