With a storied career spanning three decades in the public, private, federal, military and non-profit sectors, Mark DuPont has led training and exercise initiatives adopted as national standards by the U.S. Coast Guard, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Homeland Security, and all 56 United States and territories.

His depth of knowledge in the areas of instructional design, adult learning, gap and needs analysis, curriculum evaluation and training delivery as a Master Trainer, combined with his experience in law enforcement, intelligence, port security and maritime operations, have had a direct impact on the safety and security of our Nation. His contributions and achievements specifically related to training have been recognized over the last few years with numerous awards including; USCG Meritorious Public Service Award, Harvard Kennedy School of Government “Bright Idea” Award and Top 25 Award for Innovation, (2) American Society of Association Executives ‘Power of A’ Gold Awards and a Summit Award, a President’s Award from the National Association of Boating Law Administrators, a Commandant’s Letter of Commendation, a Meritorious Service Medal, a Commendation Medal, two Achievement Medals, Three Meritorious Team Medals and countless letters of appreciation and commendation from local, state and federal partners.

He has trained over 15,000 officers, agents, emergency responders and military personnel in all aspects of marine operations, and currently serves as the Executive Director of the National Maritime Law Enforcement Academy. He is also a lead instructor for Louisiana State University’s National Center for Biomedical Research and Training/Academy of Counter-Terrorist Education.

His leadership was essential in his previous position as the Director of the Boat Operations and Training (BOAT) Program, creating and implementing a National Standard of training and accreditation for all 50 states and six territories for the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA). Prior to leading this national initiative, Mark was the statewide Chief Intelligence and Domestic Security Officer for Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Division of Law Enforcement, the largest conservation law enforcement agency in the world – patrolling, protecting and preventing threats to the nation’s largest marine economic environment containing the cruise ship capital of the world, the recreational fishing capital of the world, 14 deep water ports, and 1200 miles of transnational coastline. In that position, he provided essential guidance in the creation and training of Waterborne Response Teams throughout the state’s seven Regional Domestic Security Task Forces.

Prior to his position with Florida, Mark completed 28 years of service with the U.S. Coast Guard. As a Chief Warrant Officer, his concept of standardized training and protocols in maritime law enforcement and emergency response in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks became foundational elements of Port Security in the Commandant’s Response Boat Tactics, Techniques and Procedures Manual, the USCG Maritime Law Enforcement Manual, and in numerous policies. Lastly, as one of DHS’s first Port Security Specialists, Mark directed the Nation’s first full-scale Area Maritime Security Training and Exercise Program (AMSTEP), and provided implementation consultation to port authorities around the world.