From Site of the Governor of Virginia:
Born on December 15, 1954, Mark Warner grew up in a middle-class family where he learned the value of hard work, faith and family, and the importance of a good education. With the help of student loans and a few part-time jobs, Governor Warner worked his way through school. He became the first in his family to graduate from college, earning his Bachelor's degree from George Washington University in 1977 and a law degree from Harvard Law School in 1980.

Instead of practicing law, Governor Warner followed a different passion - business. And although he learned during his first two business ventures that it isn't always easy getting started, he did not give up.

Governor Warner remained determined, worked hard, and in the early 1980s started his first successful company here in Virginia. The Governor went on to become a founding partner of Columbia Capital Corporation, a technology venture capital fund in Alexandria, and started more than 65 businesses that have grown to employ more than 15,000 workers.

Governor Warner believes that, in order for Virginia to continue to prosper, no Virginian can be left behind. To that end, before he became Governor, he founded four regional investment funds that have raised tens of millions of dollars to help the southwest, Southside, Richmond and Tidewater areas of Virginia attract businesses so their communities can share in the prosperity enjoyed by other parts of the state.

The Governor is committed to giving everyone in the Commonwealth the tools to compete and thrive in the new economy. He is dedicated to seeing Virginia lead the nation in the new century — and the new economy. And he understands that in order for this to happen, Virginia needs a leader who understands our changing world and economy, and who has the business skills to help manage Virginia government more efficiently.

Governor Warner is married to Lisa Collis and is the father of three daughters — Madison, Gillian, and Eliza.