Born in Kitchener, Ontario, Markus graduated in 1979 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Waterloo. Markus is Chief Engineer for Berg Chilling Systems Inc. in Toronto. He has 14 patents in a wide range of technologies including Jet Engine Testing, Plastic Comminution, Skyscraper Erection and Ice crystal nucleation. Markus was founder and Chairman of International Black Ribbon Day and Chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Transition to Democracy. He is Chairman of the Central and Eastern European Council (CEEC), executive member of the Estonian World Congress and President of the Estonian Central Council in Canada. Markus is recipient of the Gold Cross of Merit from the Estonian Community in Canada, the Gold Cross from the Republic of Poland, was named to the Order of the White Star by the Republic of Estonia.