Mr. Mark Begeny

Mark Begeny Obituary
January 7, 1960 – May 22, 2024
Mark Stephen Begeny, age 64, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2024, at his family’s home in
McLean, Virginia. He was born in Silver Spring, MD, on January 7, 1960, to the late Donald J. Begeny
and Nancy Zahn Begeny. Mark was the oldest of three children.
Mark graduated from Mt. Hebron High School in 1978 and received his BS in Civil Engineering from
Virginia Tech in 1982. As an Alpha Alpha Brother of the Nu Prime Kappa Sigma Fraternity, “Begs” was
beloved for his humor, impressions, and storytelling.
He worked for eight years in Northern Virginia with Whiting Turner (Project Manager), Brawner
Companies (Vice President), and Hooker Development Corporation (Vice President). Mark decided to
attend the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, graduating in 1993 with an MBA.
Upon graduating from Kellogg, Mark lived and worked in Manhattan, NY, reveling in Wall Street’s fast
pace and the highs and lows. Mark worked at CS First Boston and Blackrock during this time in NY. In
those early days, he forged lasting memories and life-long friends. Returning to Virginia in 1999, in
March, he launched his first company, Whitehawk Capital, LLC. Hunt Companies ultimately acquired
Whitehawk. Whitehawk and Hunt Alternative Energy’s primary focus was to work with public sector
clients on projects involving renewable energy infrastructure. Mark had both a passion and expertise in
Alternative Energy. While at Whitehawk and Hunt Alternative Energy, Mark successfully developed and
financed numerous renewable energy projects, including solar energy systems at military bases across
the United States. Mark was a trusted leader and served as a mentor to many of his employees over
the years. He will always be remembered as a thoughtful, dedicated manager and a good friend to
those who worked closely with him.
Upon returning to Northern Virginia, Mark took residence in Olde Town Alexandria, VA. Here, he and
Donna reunited as former college friends, and to the surprise of Mark’s Kappa Sigma brothers, Donna
and Mark married in 2001. His dream of having a family was realized with the birth of his son, Cal, in
2002, followed closely by another son, Jack, in 2003.
Mark and Donna moved to McLean, VA, in late 2003, purchasing an old home on a magnificent lot in
Chesterbrook Woods. Here, Mark began a legacy renovation project of which he took tremendous
pride in ownership and where he would spend countless hours, in labor and love, constructing his
dream home. Mark’s homebuilding philosophy, which he would remind Donna of often, mirrored that
of Thomas Jefferson, “Architecture is my delight, and putting up and pulling down, one of my favorite
amusements.”
Mark’s favorite place on earth was Nantucket, MA, and the family spent every summer vacation since
2005 on the island, which brought Mark back to life. He and “his boys” spent most of the time on the
links at Sconset Golf, where he shared his love of the game with Cal and Jack and passed along to them
the same adoration for the sport. Mark dedicated his life to cherishing and nurturing his boys, Danielle
and Donna, and always putting his family first. More than anything, Mark loved being a dad, and his
family felt his love and admiration daily.
Mark was known for his humor and his comedic timing. He mastered several impressions that would
surface whenever Mark felt the urge. Mark had a brilliant mind, was constantly forging his next move,
and thought idle time was wasted. He loved people, especially those who loved to listen to his
boundless stories and ideas.
On Mark’s serious side, he was profoundly rooted in the Episcopal Church. Mark formed a meaningful
relationship early in his twenties with Reverend John Harper, who became Mark’s second father after
Mark’s father’s early passing. Mark sat on the Vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square,
in Washington, DC. With Harper’s devotion, Mark grew spiritually.
His parents, his brother, John P., and his nephew, Christopher Manning, preceded him in death. He is
survived by his wife, Donna Rein; sons, John C. (“Cal”) and Jack W.; daughter, Danielle Rein of St.
Petersburg, FL; sister, Lynda Manning (Jim) of Westminster, Md, Nieces & Nephew – Katelin Manning
Harwood (Tim), Hannah Manning, Luke Manning, Abigail Manning, and great uncle to Olivia Harwood.
A service is being held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square, Washington DC, on Friday, June
21, at 10 am. All guests are invited to a reception in the St. John’s Parish House following the service,
16th and H Streets, NW, Washington, DC 20005. In place of flowers, please consider a donation in
Mark’s honor to The Drew Stieg Aspiring Wellness Program or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network