Mark W. Erwin

Mark Wylea Erwin is the President of Erwin Capital, Inc., a family-owned investment company located in Charlotte, North Carolina.

He served as the United States Ambassador to the Republic of Mauritius, the Republic of the Seychelles and the Federal Islamic Republic of Comoros from 1999-2001.

In 1997, President Clinton appointed Ambassador Erwin to the Board of Directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.

Over the years, Ambassador Erwin has been active in civic affairs and has served on the Boards of over 35 civic, charitable and educational organizations. He was an Adjunct Professor at the Business School of Winthrop University for several years and has guest lectured at many schools and universities. He received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Winthrop University in 1994.

The State of South Carolina’s legislature recognized his outstanding service to the state and in 2000 Ambassador Erwin received the “Order of the Long Leaf Pine” from the Governor of North Carolina. This is the highest civilian honor bestowed by the state.

Currently, Ambassador Erwin serves on the Board of Directors of New Dominion Bank and as Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Trustees of The Echo Foundation, the Board of Advisors of The African Presidential Archives and Research Center at Boston University, the Board of Directors of Opportunity International and the Board of Directors of the UNC Charlotte Foundation. He also serves on the North Carolina Economic Development Board and chairs The Avenir Foundation, which he and his family founded in 2002. Recently, Ambassador Erwin joined the Sugar Creek Charter School Board.

He and his wife, Joan, maintain a residence in Charlotte, North Carolina. They have two daughters, Jennifer and Melissa.

Ambassadorial Post(s)

Mauritius, (1999 - 2001)

Areas of Expertise

  • Economic - Business Development