For the past six and a half years, Mark Seibold has served as vice president of finance for the Dakota Conference, bringing a pragmatic and steady approach to managing the financial health of the organization. Now, as he steps into retirement—again—he reflects on his journey, the challenges and the next chapter ahead.
Mark’s career prior to joining the Dakota Conference in 2018 was largely in healthcare administration, specifically in long-term care services and medical debt
collections. After retiring from that field, he took a five-year hiatus from full-time work, spending time repairing vintage electronics and relaying vehicles for Enterprise before moving into church work.
Arlo Heinrich, the outgoing VP of finance at the time, encouraged Mark to apply for the position, which he initially declined. Then Dakota Conference president Neil Biloff later reached out, citing Arlo’s recommendation, but Mark remained unconvinced. It wasn’t until circumstances changed unexpectedly that he reconsidered. Facing an urgent need in the conference’s finance office, Neil reached out again, asking Mark to step in—at least until the next constituency session. Given his own personal experiences, the request resonated. Mark agreed. “And here we are, six and a half years later,” he says with a chuckle.
During his time at the conference, Mark navigated complex financial responsibilities, with Dakota Adventist Academy remaining a key focus in budget discussions. He worked to balance financial stewardship with DAA’s long-standing legacy, recognizing its significant role in the conference’s mission. “The academy is a huge part of the mission of this conference,” he says. “My job has been to ensure the conference remains financially strong so that its ministries can continue serving this region.”
While crunching numbers and preparing budgets was a significant part of his role, Mark also found purpose in the structure of daily work and the camaraderie of the team. As he transitions into retirement, he knows that adjustment will take time. “You need contrast in life,” he explains. “We need the challenges of solving problems. It keeps our brains active, keeps us engaged.”
That’s not to say he’ll be idle. Mark plans to spend more time restoring vintage audio equipment, a passion that has turned into a small business of its own. He’s also looking forward to helping his son-in-law on the farm and tackling projects on his property. But what he’s looking forward to most is spending more time with his wife, Connie. “Retirement is different this time,” he reflects, thinking back to his initial “self-imposed unemployment” in 2013 after leaving healthcare. “I was single before and my time was my own. Now, Connie and I have projects and commitments together, and I want to be intentional about making the most of this time.”
With a full list of projects, a workshop filled with electronics, and the opportunity to spend more time with Connie, Mark isn’t worried about having too much free time. If anything, he suspects retirement might be just as busy—but in all the best ways.
