Mark Wayne Hess
Executive Producer, Visionary, Creator
FAMILY BUSINESS
In 1985, Mark Hess moved from Tampa to the Panama City Beach, Florida to work in the family business at Ebro Greyhound Park, now Ebro Card Casino, where he remains today with his brother Rick, and their Father Stockton Hess, in all management aspects.
EVENT PRODUCER
In 1999, Hess realized his shared love for the family business wasn’t enough. So he founded Hess Entertainment Inc. with a vision to provide Bay County with top rated entertainment. Seventeen years later he had done just that, producing events with over 100 National Artists such as Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Kenny Roger, Hank Williams Jr, ZZ Top, Foreigner, Boston, Steve Miller Band, Tony Bennett, BB King to name a few.
NOT JUST JEEPN AROUND
In 2016, Hess’s childhood passion for Jeeps was rekindled and quickly became a primary focus. As a result a new vision was born.
Hess founded Florida Jeep Jam in Panama City Beach, Florida – A Multi-Day Jeep “Beach Vacation” for Jeep owners and enthusiasts.
Hess, with partner Mark Forrest, created “The American SuperJeep Challenge” A Competition Reality show. Following its April 2019 debut, airing on Motor Tread Network, Hess and Forrest set out across country coast to coast filming Season One, ultimately partnering with Courtney Hansen to film our final episode just as the COVID Pandemic began to spread.
SERVING HIS COMMUNITY
Hess has served on a verity of boards in both Washington and Bay County, such as the Washington County Chamber, Panama City Beach Chamber, Gulf Coast College Foundation, the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, and as Event Co-Chair with wife Sonja for The American Cancer Society Cattle Baron’s Ball.
Most recently, Hess, with partner Mark Forrest, worked with Florida Legislators to successfully pass legislation allowing for the addition of the NEW “Explore Off Road” Florida Specialty License Plate. Annual use fees from plate sales are administered by Florida Off-Road Foundation, Inc, (FORF) a nonprofit corporation under s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Mark Forrest
Partner, Florida Jeep Jam, Panama City Beach, Florida
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Mark is a Native of Georgia and its here where he began investing in and purchasing a multitude of successful businesses until 1996 when Forrest sold his promotional business and moved to Panama City Beach, Florida where he remains today. In 2005 Forrest purchased a vacation rental property management company, Venture Out Vacations Inc is currently enjoying a 300% increase in sales and still growing. In 2013 Forrest joined efforts with Hess and secured an investment partnership with Hess Entertainment Group Inc. continuing to provide Panama City Beach, Florida entertainment thru 2016. Shortly following in 2017 Forrest arranged to purchase the remaining available shares of JBJ Productions Inc. Producer of Florida Jeep Jam, Panama City Beach, Florida. A Multi-Day Jeep Beach Vacation for Jeep owners, enthusiast & their families.
Served on the Following Boards:
Museum of Florida Jeeps
Friends of Florida Jeepers
Sonja Hess
Administrative Director
