MARK EDWARDS
MELE Associates, Inc.
Upper Marlboro,MD
1
Certification
27
years of professional experience
Nuclear Security Subject Matter Expert with more than 20 years of leadership supporting DOE, NNSA, DoD, DHS, DTRA, ODNI, NCTC, ONI, and Combatant Commands. Recognized authority in nuclear security, CWMD, CBRN threat analysis, intelligence integration, emergency preparedness, consequence management, strategic planning, and executive decision support. Trusted advisor to Senior Executive Service officials, Flag Officers, Combatant Commanders, NATO partners, and the IAEA.
Work History
Project Manager / Nuclear Security Subject Matter Expert
3 Years 7 Months- Directs the International Radiological/Nuclear (I-RAD) Training Program, leading enterprise and multinational initiatives that enhance radiological and nuclear preparedness, strengthen allied capabilities, and advance U.S. national security objectives.
- Serves as the principal Nuclear Security Subject Matter Expert and trusted advisor to Senior Executive Service leadership, providing strategic guidance on nuclear security policy, counterterrorism, emergency preparedness, intelligence integration, and enterprise program execution.
- Leads multinational engagement and interagency collaboration across the Department of Energy, National Laboratories, Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, State, the FBI, NATO Allies, foreign governments, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), strengthening international partnerships and operational interoperability.
- Directs cross-functional teams responsible for strategic planning, operational plan development, multinational training, and complex international exercises that improve radiological and nuclear incident preparedness and response capabilities.
- Develops executive decision-support products—including strategic assessments, policy recommendations, executive briefings, operational plans, decision memoranda, and after-action reports—that inform senior government leaders and support national-level decision making.
- Integrates Intelligence Community reporting, technical assessments, and foreign partner information into enterprise planning and risk assessments, enabling proactive identification of emerging radiological and nuclear threats.
- Assesses enterprise preparedness, identify operational and capability gaps, implement corrective actions, and drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance organizational readiness, resilience, and interagency coordination.
- Coordinates strategic communications and operational planning with DOE Watch Officers, Emergency Response personnel, National Laboratories, and federal and international partners during radiological and nuclear incidents, ensuring executive situational awareness and synchronized response operations.
- Represents DOE/NNSA in high-level domestic and international engagements, fostering strategic partnerships that advance U.S. leadership in nuclear security, counterproliferation, and radiological emergency preparedness.
Strategic Communications Program Manager
1 Year 7 Months- Directed enterprise contract performance, quality assurance, and strategic communications supporting four U.S. Army Resilience Directorate programs: 1) Ready and Resilient, 2) SHARP, 3) Suicide Prevention, and 4) Substance Abuse, ensuring alignment with Army priorities and mission objectives.
- Led and developed an 11-member multidisciplinary team of communications professionals, graphic designers, and web specialists, delivering integrated communications products and executive engagement strategies for Army senior leadership.
- Designed and executed enterprise strategic communications, outreach, public affairs, social marketing, and leadership engagement campaigns that increased stakeholder awareness and strengthened organizational effectiveness.
- Oversaw development of executive communications, strategic messaging, digital content, and outreach initiatives that enhanced program visibility, workforce engagement, and mission impact across the Army enterprise.
- Led communications initiatives recognized with two Platinum and four Gold MarCom Awards, demonstrating excellence in strategic communications, marketing, and public engagement.
- Advised senior government leaders on strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, and organizational messaging, translating complex initiatives into clear, actionable communications that advanced enterprise objectives.
Senior Emergency Management Consultant
7 Months- Served as senior advisor supporting public health emergency management operations for the Charles County Health Department, leading planning initiatives for COVID-19 testing site operations and community response activities.
- Directed operational planning, coordination, and implementation of pandemic response initiatives, enhancing testing site readiness, resource allocation, and continuity of public health services.
- Managed community outreach and stakeholder engagement efforts supporting the distribution of more than 7,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) and public health information packets, strengthening community awareness and emergency preparedness.
- Collaborated with public health officials, emergency management partners, and local stakeholders to improve operational coordination, response effectiveness, and public health resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Provided executive-level emergency management expertise in incident planning, operational coordination, and crisis response, supporting mission continuity and community resilience during a national public health emergency.
Emergency Planner Consultant
1 Year 8 Months- Led multidisciplinary research, development, testing, and evaluation initiatives supporting first responder capabilities, resource management, and operational readiness for federal emergency management programs.
- Directed cross-functional coordination with local, state, and federal stakeholders—including Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency—to strengthen emergency preparedness, response planning, and interagency collaboration.
- Assessed and enhanced emergency operations, continuity of operations (COOP), disaster preparedness, hazard mitigation, communications, and National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliance plans, delivering strategic recommendations that improved organizational resilience and operational effectiveness.
- Served as a trusted advisor on emergency management, incident response, preparedness planning, and interagency coordination, providing executive-level guidance to advance mission readiness and national resilience.
- Applied expertise in strategic planning, risk assessment, and emergency management doctrine to support federal initiatives that enhanced operational capability and continuity across government partners.
HP Inc.'s Government Relations Political Action Committee (PAC)
1 Year 7 Months- Directed operations for HP Inc.'s Government Relations Political Action Committee (PAC), overseeing executive board governance, fundraising campaigns, member engagement, and contract deliverables supporting federal government relations objectives.
- Developed executive communications, strategic messaging, annual reports, newsletters, and digital content that enhanced stakeholder engagement and advanced corporate public policy priorities.
- Led cross-functional coordination with government relations, legal counsel, and corporate leadership to ensure compliance with the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA), Federal Election Commission (FEC) regulations, LD-2 and LD-203 filings, and voluntary congressional reporting requirements.
- Supported strategic communications and compliance initiatives for emerging 3D technology programs, contributing to policy alignment, regulatory readiness, and enterprise training for federal reporting requirements.
- Advised senior leadership on governance, regulatory compliance, stakeholder communications, and operational planning to strengthen organizational effectiveness and risk management.
Director of Communications
1 Year 3 Months- Directed enterprise communications, public affairs, legislative outreach, and advocacy initiatives, advancing statewide awareness of crime victim services through collaboration with executive leadership, government agencies, and attorney-lobbyists.
- Developed and executed an integrated strategic communications and marketing plan that increased constituent engagement and strategic partnerships by 35% within the first year.
- Led organizational communications, overseeing media relations, press releases, website strategy, social media, publications, and executive messaging to strengthen public visibility and stakeholder engagement.
- Managed strategic initiatives including fundraising campaigns, grant development, grant writing, and donor engagement to support organizational growth and mission execution.
- Served as Board Secretary, directing board governance support, meeting operations, agenda development, official records, and executive communications.
- Advised executive leadership on communications strategy, stakeholder engagement, and public affairs initiatives that enhanced organizational reputation and advocacy effectiveness.
Director of Operations
2 Years 1 Month- Directed enterprise operations for a $5M+ organization with a workforce of more than 50 employees, overseeing operational performance, resource management, and organizational effectiveness.
- Provided executive leadership for daily business operations, implementing policies and process improvements that enhanced efficiency, accountability, and service delivery.
- Served as the organization's DOT and OSHA Compliance Officer, ensuring regulatory compliance, risk mitigation, workplace safety, and adherence to federal transportation and occupational safety requirements.
- Managed cross-functional teams, operational planning, and performance initiatives to support strategic objectives, organizational growth, and continuous operational improvement.
- Advised executive leadership on operational strategy, regulatory compliance, workforce management, and organizational risk, supporting informed business decisions and sustained mission success.
Senior Program Manager (GS-14)
4 Years 3 Months- Led a multi-Service Joint Staff team in revising DoD Instruction 3150.09, CBRN Survivability Policy, institutionalizing JCIDS-informed capability development processes to identify, assess, validate, and prioritize Joint CBRN survivability requirements against evolving operational threats.
- Directed Joint Staff oversight of Department of Defense CBRN survivability capability requirements, integrating JCIDS, acquisition, Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE), and lifecycle management activities across the Military Services, Combatant Commands, OSD, and Defense Agencies to advance CBRN protection, detection, and survivability capabilities.
- Served as the principal Joint Staff Action Officer supporting the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) and senior DoD leadership by developing capability-based assessments, requirements analyses, executive briefings, and recommendations that informed Joint capability development, resource prioritization, and Chemical and Biological Defense Program investment decisions.
- Led a team of CBRN subject matter experts responsible for requirements integration, JCIDS staffing and coordination, capability documentation, policy development, and cross-functional collaboration throughout the Defense Acquisition System, ensuring Joint interoperability, mission effectiveness, and compliance with DoD capability development guidance.
Naval Intelligence Officer (LT/O-3)
10 Years 1 Month- Directed enterprise-level intelligence support to Naval Special Warfare and Kennedy Irregular Warfare Center missions, aligning intelligence operations with strategic objectives and enhancing mission effectiveness in complex operational environments.
- Produced high-impact WMD, IED, and terrorist threat assessments, informing senior leadership decision-making and enhancing proactive risk mitigation across global operations.
- Led the training and development of Tactical Intelligence Support Teams, strengthening capabilities in intelligence collection, sensitive site exploitation, and operational intelligence integration to support irregular warfare and counterterrorism missions.
Senior Program Manager (GS-14)
1 Year- Managed the National Protection and Programs Directorate 24/7 Incident Management Cell monitoring national critical infrastructure.
- Integrated intelligence from CIA, FBI, DOE, DOD, State, Treasury, Transportation, NRC, and other federal partners.
- Produced daily executive briefings for DHS leadership during steady-state and crisis operations.
- Served as Future Operations Liaison for Super Bowl XLIV and the funeral of Senator Edward Kennedy.
- Directed continuity of operations planning and incident management coordination.
Senior Intelligence Operations Program Manager (GS-14)
2 Years 1 Month- Supervised multi-agency intelligence analysts supporting national counterterrorism operations.
- Directed all-source intelligence collection, analysis, dissemination, and executive reporting.
- Served as Acting Deputy Director of the 24/7 Operations Center during non-duty hours.
- Applied GEOINT, metadata, pattern-of-life, and network analysis methodologies to support strategic warning.
Supervisory Watch Officer (GS-14)
2 Years 10 Months- Directed 24/7 Defense Threat Reduction Agency/United States Strategic Command Combating WMD Operations Center supporting global Combatant Command missions to counter CBRN/WMD threats.
- Provided executive operational briefings and enterprise readiness assessments to senior leadership, enhancing global mission awareness and decision-making.
- Coordinated enterprise reach-back support for hazard prediction, plume modeling, and consequence management, enabling timely operational responses across Combatant Commands and interagency partners.
- Led Combatant Command CWMD exercises and COOP programs, strengthening operational readiness through alternate-site operations, after-action reviews, and continuous process improvement.
Emergency Program Manager (GS-13)
5 Years- Supported the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Antiterrorism Program, conducting 80+ Joint Staff Integrated Vulnerability Assessments at U.S. and overseas military installations.
- Led multidisciplinary teams evaluating antiterrorism, force protection, emergency management, CBRN preparedness, mass casualty response, and consequence management capabilities.
- Developed executive assessment reports and briefed commanders, General Officers, Antiterrorism Officers, Emergency Managers, and senior defense leaders on vulnerabilities, capability gaps, and corrective actions.
- Applied CBRN threat analysis, hazard assessment, and emergency planning expertise to strengthen installation protection, reduce operational risk, and improve response readiness.
- Coordinated assessment activities with Military Services, Combatant Commands, DTRA technical experts, emergency responders, and installation leadership.
- Earned multiple DTRA performance awards recognizing sustained excellence in mission execution.
Education
M.A. - Business and Organizational Security Management
B.S. - Sociology/Criminal Justice
Skills
Nuclear Security
CWMD
CBRN
Intelligence Integration
Strategic Planning
Executive Decision Support
NATO
IAEA
Emergency Preparedness
Consequence Management
Program Management
Risk Management
Interagency Coordination
Strategic Communications
Accomplishments
NNSA Office of Nuclear Incident Preparedness & Collaboration – Staff Member of the Month (December 2024)
Recognized for outstanding leadership and mission impact in successfully planning, coordinating, and leading the International Radiological (I-RAD) Training Program for first responders from the Kingdom of Cambodia. Demonstrated exceptional program management, international partnership engagement, and technical expertise while advancing U.S. Department of Energy/NNSA nuclear security objectives and strengthening allied radiological emergency preparedness, response capabilities, and multinational cooperation.
Certification
- Program Management Institute (PMI) Project Management Training Course, 2026
- Federal Nuclear Expertise Course, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, 2026
- Alarm Response Training, NNSA/Office of Radiological Security, 2023
- Joint Senior Leaders Course, (CBRN/Joint Requirements Office), 2011
- Advanced Concepts and Skills for Requirements Management, (Defense Acquisition University), 2011
- Acquisition Logistics Fundamentals, (Defense Acquisition University), 2011
- Fundamentals of Systems Acquisition Management, (Defense Acquisition University), 2011
- National Planners Course, (Dept. of Homeland Security), 2010
- Chemistry of Homemade Explosives, (Defense Intelligence Agency), 2008
- Advanced Chemical Concepts, (Defense Intelligence Agency), 2008
- Chemical Warfare Laboratory Operations, (Defense Intelligence Agency), 2008
- Nuclear Weapons Orientation Course (Defense Nuclear Weapons School 2006
- Radiological Accident Command, Control, & Coordination Course, Defense Nuclear Weapons School, 2005
- Chemical Warfare Convention Course (Defense Threat Reduction Agency) 2005
- WMD Workshop (Dept. of Homeland Security), 2004
- Hazard Prediction Assessment Capability Course (HPAC 4.01), 2004
Timeline
Project Manager / Nuclear Security Subject Matter Expert
MELE Associates, Inc.
12.2022 - CurrentRead More
Strategic Communications Program Manager
CTR Management Group Inc.
05.2021 - 12.2022Read More
Senior Emergency Management Consultant
Health Care Dynamics International
10.2020 - 05.2021Read More
Emergency Planner Consultant
Herndon Solutions Group Inc.
09.2019 - 05.2021Read More
HP Inc.'s Government Relations Political Action Committee (PAC)
Senior Project Manager
02.2018 - 09.2019Read More
Director of Communications
Maryland Crime Victims' Resource Center Inc.
11.2016 - 02.2018Read More
Director of Operations
Capital Assets, Inc.
10.2014 - 11.2016Read More
Senior Program Manager (GS-14)
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, J8, Joint Requirements Office for CBRN Defense
06.2010 - 09.2014Read More
Senior Program Manager (GS-14)
Department of Homeland Security
06.2009 - 06.2010Read More
Senior Intelligence Operations Program Manager (GS-14)
ODNI / NCTC
05.2007 - 06.2009Read More
Supervisory Watch Officer (GS-14)
Defense Threat Reduction Agency
06.2004 - 04.2007Read More
Naval Intelligence Officer (LT/O-3)
Office of Naval Intelligence (Reserves)
02.2003 - 03.2013Read More
Emergency Program Manager (GS-13)
Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)
06.1999 - 06.2004Read More
Bowie State University
B.S. from Sociology/Criminal Justice
Read More
Webster University
M.A. from Business and Organizational Security Management
Read More
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- DoE/NNSA, Office of Nuclear Incident Preparedness & Collaboration, Staff Member of the Month (Dec 2024).
- Federal Nuclear Expertise Course, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (2025-2026).
- Led revision of DoD Instruction 3150.09 governing CBRN Survivability Policy (2014)
- Managed DTRA's 24/7 USSTRATCOM CWMD Operations Center. (2003-2007)
- Conducted more than 80 Joint Staff Integrated Vulnerability Assessments (Antiterrorism/Operations Readiness) (1999-2003)
- Recipient of multiple federal performance awards.