Senator Mark Koran is originally from the Frogtown area of St. Paul and graduated from Como High School in 1982.

Koran has over 34 years of experience working in both the public and private sectors, ranging from owning and operating his own business, to working in management for the Minnesota Department of Revenue. He was also employed as a senior sales manager for a large financial institution.

Senator Koran and his wife Cindy moved their family to Lent Township (Chisago County) in 2007, where he has been an active member of the Lent Township Planning Commission.

Senator Koran and Cindy have three grown children. Their family is well known in the community for hosting the Koran Family Christmas Display, an annual holiday light display that has been a family tradition since 1958.