Markus grew up in New Mexico. He attended New Mexico State University where he graduated with a B.A. in History and later attended Texas A&M University earning a Master of Agriculture degree. After moving to Athens, Markus worked in the Animal Science Department of the University of Georgia for several years before returning to Texas to complete his legal studies at Texas Tech.

While in law school, Markus worked for both the Western Circuit Public Defender and for the Western Circuit District Attorney. After passing the bar, he was employed as an Assistant Solicitor General for more than five years; prosecuting cases in both the Municipal and State Courts of Clarke County. During that time he also worked as the Municipal Prosecutor for the City of Winterville. Markus left government service to join former Public Defender and private attorney Malcolm Palmore in the formation of Palmore, Boenig and Associates PC in 2012.

A firm believer in public services, Markus serves on the Athens SPLOST Oversight Committee and the Winterville Planning and Zoning Commission.