Roots in Rhode IslanD
Hi, I’m Mark Mesrobian, a lifelong Rhode Islander, entrepreneur, and proud resident of South County since 1985.
I first landed here to attend the University of Rhode Island, the No.1 public university in New England as ranked by the Wall Street Journal.
Like many who discover the magic of this part of our state, I never left.
I graduated from North Providence High School in 1985 and earned my Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from URI in 1989 where I was also an active member of Theta Delta Chi fraternity.
In 1998, I bought my home in Narragansett, where my wife and best friend, Bried, and I still live today.
Rhode Island isn’t just where I live — it’s who I am.
Early entrepreneurial spirit
After graduating college, the country faced one of the toughest economic recessions in decades.
My friend and business partner, Chris, and I decided to take a chance and open a Subway Sandwich Shop in Narragansett on Woodruff Avenue.
Chris’s father, John, co-signed the bank loan for us, and Chris and I helped my father, Antranig aka “Anto”, build-out the store on nights and weekends.
It took a while, but we finally opened our doors on January 16, 1991, the very day the U.S. entered the first Persian Gulf War.
It wasn’t an easy time to start a business, but we learned early lessons in resilience, adaptability, and community connection.
We worked long hours, served neighbors and visitors alike, and gained a deep appreciation for what it takes to keep a small business going in uncertain times.
Today, that same Woodruff Avenue location is home to a Jersey Mike’s, but the experience of building something from the ground up has stayed with me ever since.
From local to global
After Subway, I joined American Power Conversion (APC), one of Rhode Island’s great homegrown success stories.
For six years, I honed my sales and leadership skills, helping the company expand its footprint in retailers globally.
Unfortunately, we haven’t seen many Rhode Island success stories like APC since which is something I’d love to help change.
After leaving APC, I founded Complete Sourcing Solutions (CSS) in 2001. For almost 25 years, we’ve designed, manufactured and sourced consumer products from around the world.
At CSS, I learned firsthand about global supply chains and how small ideas can scale exponentially when paired with the right people, processes and persistence.
Building businesses that last
In 2016, we launched Fifth & Ninth, a Rhode Island-based fashion and lifestyle brand inspired by the Fashion District in New York City.
We started with tech accessories and now you can now find our sunglasses, blue light glasses and accessories in national retailers like Nordstrom, Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters and others.
Leading that team has been both creative and very rewarding, proof that bold ideas can thrive right here in the Ocean State.
From sandwiches to suntan lotion
Today, I also serve as General Manager of the Bonnet Shores Beach Club in the north end of Narragansett, one of the largest private beach clubs in the Eastern United States.
With nearly 4,500 members, 15 full-time employees, over 200 seasonal staff, and 1,700 feet of beachfront, it’s a dynamic, year-round operation that requires balancing tradition, innovation, and sound management.
Accountable to a Board of Directors, my focus has been on improving financial management, streamlining operations, investing in infrastructure and ensuring that Bonnet Shores remains a beloved part of Rhode Island’s coastal identity for generations to come.
why i’m running
At my core, I’m a problem solver and a builder. Someone who loves connecting strategy with creativity to make things work better.
Whether it’s managing a team, growing a business, or improving how a community runs, I believe in hard work, accountability, and collaboration.
Rhode Island is my home.
From Narragansett to New Shoreham to North Kingstown, I want to help strengthen our communities, support small businesses, and protect the coastline and character that make the Ocean State such a special place to live.
“always be a first rate version of yourself instead of a second rate version of someone else.”
— JUDY GARLAND, Actress & Singer