How an Entertainment and Finance Executive Developed a Special Bond with a WWII Medal of Honor Recipient (Part II)

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Episode Description

This week, FourBlock Founder Mike Abrams continues a powerful two-part conversation finance and entertainment executive Mark Konjevod about Mark’s unique career path and his incredible relationship with Medal of Honor recipient Walter (Walt) D. Ehlers.

In Part I, Mark recounted the amazing story of how he came to meet United States Army soldier and World War II Medal of Honor recipient Walt Ehlers and shared some of the lessons and values he learned from the unique relationship that developed between them over the years.

In Part II, Mark discusses the arc of his career, how his relationship with Walt impacted his career and how he looks at business, as well as how the friendship impacted his life and made him a better person.

Mark Konjevod is a co-founder and managing partner of the Konjevod Company, a New York-based investment banking and advisories firm. Mark also serves as the president of Landafar Entertainment, a Hollywood film production company.

Over his 30-year career, Mark has built a broad knowledge and expertise in finance, which started at Bear Stearns, working in their institutional sales and trading group in New York. Mark then transitioned into technology and media, where he held senior executive business development and corporate development positions at CNET Networks and Cox Enterprises, respectively.

Over his career, Mark has been involved in over 9 billion dollars in M&A transactions. In 2007, Mark became the chief executive officer of WIN Products, the startup nanotechnology and consumer products company that he led from conception to successful exit. Just prior to the Konjevod Company, Mark served as a Managing Director of Everlight Capital, a Latin American hedge fund and advisory firm.

Mark holds a B.A. in Political Science and History from the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he also played for their Division I Varsity football team. Mark also holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He served for seven years as a member of the Board of Trustees of the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, LA.

About Us

Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term “Three Block War” to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.

FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.

Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, FourBlock founder, and author of two military transition books. He’ll be representing the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey will be representing the civilian perspective of this issue.

Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org. Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate.