Biography
Ronald “Ron” Marks III is a 38-year veteran of the U.S. Intelligence Community. A former CIA case officer, he was a CIA Senate Liaison and Capitol Hill staffer who has served on a number of advisory groups at the Central Intelligence Agency and in The Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Marks was spring 2020 Dole Fellow at the University of Kansas, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, where he conducted a series of seven seminars looking at the challenges and new developments effecting “Spying in the Cyber Age.”
Appointed a 2021 Term Visiting Professor in the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, Marks designed a unique course devoted to the crucial intersection of national security policy and advancing technology.
He is also currently president of ZPN Cyber and National Security Strategies where he develops successful strategies for corporations and high net worth individuals seeking successful entry into the federal market place. Marks also acts as ZPN’s chief adviser focusing on these issues for both government and corporate policy makers.
Until 2017, he was the president of Intelligence Enterprises, LLC, a privately held management-consulting partnership focused on investment, mergers and acquisition, cyber security issues, and management strategies for the federal national security marketplace.
Marks was selected to serve (2011-14) as program director for Battelle Memorial Institute’s National Cyber Doctrine Program. In that role, in December 2012, he oversaw the production of “#CyberDoc No-Borders-No Boundaries – A National Doctrine in the Cyber Era” for Potomac Institute Press. He contributed Chapter 13, “Providing for the Common Defense.”
And from 2005-11, he was director of the Washington, D.C., office and senior vice president for government relations of Oxford Analytica, a top five private analytical firm based in Oxford, U.K.
Curriculum Vitae
View Ronald Marks' CV
rmarksster@gmail.com
Cell (703) 919-7419
House (703) 847-0382
Address: 7004 Dunningham Place, McLean, VA 22101
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Ronald “Ron” Marks is a 35-year veteran of the U.S. Intelligence Community. A former CIA case officer, he was a CIA Senate Liaison and Capitol Hill staffer who has served on a number of advisory groups at the Central Intelligence Agency and in The Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Marks is the Spring 2020 Dole Fellow at the University of Kansas, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics. Ron will be conducting a series of seven seminars looking at the challenges and new developments effecting “Spying in the Cyber Age.”
Marks is currently President of ZPN National Security and Cyber Strategies where he develops successful strategies for corporations and high net worth individuals seeking successful entry into the Federal market place. Marks also acts as ZPN’s chief adviser focusing on these issues for both government and corporate policy makers.
Ron is a Member of the Council of Executives at the Auburn University (formerly George Washington University) Center for Cyber and Homeland Security (CCHS) – an organization of which he was also a Senior Fellow since 2003.
At CCHS, Marks currently advises on national intelligence, cyber and homeland security risk management related issues; including the collection of targeting information and countermeasures for national Critical Infrastructure Protection. Ron also sits on the Center’s “Future Challenges” Panel and its Membership Committee.
Marks is also Adjunct Faculty lecturing on Homeland Security Intelligence for Johns Hopkins University, Krieger School of Arts and Science, Masters in Global Security Program.
Ron also serves as a member of the Outside Board of Directors for the Silicon Valley based Informatica Corporation’s Federal Operations, located in Reston, Virginia.
And he is on the Advisory Board of the Conrad Foundation whose efforts focus on STEM education and entrepreneurship.
Marks serves as a member of the Senior Steering Committee for the Center for Strategic and International Studies(CSIS), Transnational Threats Project. Serving since 1997, Ron’s duties include directing and overseeing the project and its direction in international trouble spots around the world.
Ron lectures for the Intelligence and Security Academy of Arlington, Virginia where speaks on the National Security budget and implementation process, intelligence, Cyber, and Congressional matters for Intelligence, Defense, and other U.S. Government organizations worldwide.
For three years, 2016-19, Marks served as Professor and Chair of Intelligence Programs at the newly established Daniel Morgan Academy for National Security Studies. A new national security M.A. program developed by the Diana Davis Spencer Foundation.
Until 2017, Ron was the President of Intelligence Enterprises, LLC, a privately held management-consulting partnership focused on investment, mergers and acquisition, cyber security issues, and management strategies for the Federal national security marketplace.
Marks had served for six years (2006-12) as an Adjunct Professor of National Security at the National Defense University where he taught about intelligence, homeland security, and cyber security issues.
Ron was selected to serve (2011-14) as Program Director for Battelle Memorial Institute’s National Cyber Doctrine Program. In that role, in December 2012, Marks oversaw the production of “#CyberDoc No-Borders-No Boundaries – A National Doctrine in the Cyber Era” for Potomac Institute Press. He contributed Chapter 13, “Providing for the Common Defense.”
Marks published his first book, “Spying in America in the Post 9/11 World” by Praegar Publishing, in January 2011. The book takes a serious look at the issue of domestic intelligence and concerns over civil liberties.
Marks currently held a TS SCI clearance with the Central Intelligence Agency. (Most recent BI completed February 2012.) And a TS in DOD JPAS (Most recent BI completed November 2017.)
BACKGROUND
A native of Portland, Oregon, Ron received his Bachelors in Business Administration and Economics from Lewis and Clark College in 1978. Ron went on to study at the Northwestern School of Law (1978-79) and took his Masters in Economics at the University of Oregon in 1982.
Coming to Washington in October 1983, Ron spent 16 years with the CIA including: eight years as a Directorate of Operations (Clandestine Services) Case Officer and graduate of the Career Trainee Program. During his overall CIA career, Marks was also: Senate Congressional Liaison for Five DCI’s, Special Assistant to the ADCI for Military Support, U.S. State Department Program Director for Law Enforcement Issues in Russia and Eastern Europe, and a senior budget director at the National Reconnaissance Office.
From February 1995 through October 1996, Marks served as Intelligence Counsel to former U.S. Senator Bob Dole and U.S. Senator Trent Lott overseeing all national and defense intelligence issues. He also oversaw policy issues in Southeast Europe and the recovery of POW remains in Vietnam and Korea.
Since September 1999, Marks has served as a senior Homeland Security/Intelligence expert as well as a Congressional Relations/Public Relations executive and Business Developer at a number of large systems integrators in the Washington, D.C. area. Ron has also served to guide a first stage a Risk Management software firm to their second round of funding.
In addition to his previously mentioned current activities, Marks currently serves as an:
- Associate Member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies(2006- Present)
- Member, Chatham House
- Member, International Security Academy
- Member, The Atlantic Council (2012-Present)
- Member of the Cosmos Club (2008-present)
- Chairman, International Affairs Committee (2014-16)
- Board of Management Member (2016-17).
- Member of the Lewis and Clark College Alumni Board (2005-07) and sponsor of the Ronald A. Marks Scholarship Award (2008-present)
- Honorary Partner, Path North (Steve Case Foundation) (2014-Present)
- Associate National Member, The Explorers Club (2016-Present)
- Associate Member of The Circumnavigators Club (2016-Present)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (Current)
ZPN National Security Strategies, President, November 2018--Present
- Oversees Cyber and National Security Consultants developing successful strategies for corporations and high net worth individuals seeking successful entry into the Federal market place
- Acts as ZPN’s chief adviser focusing on these issues for both government and corporate policy makers.
CLIENT EXAMPLES:
- Global Special Forces Operations Foundation. For the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence office, developed and managed a table top exercise examining the challenges of exchanging intelligence among US and foreign SOF operators in the field. Wrote an AAR on the conference.
- Private Client. Seeking to place unique data management software in the Intelligence/Homeland Security market place.
- Private Client. Helping expansion of client product further into the Intelligence Community
- Testimony, Homeland Security Advisory Committee, Economic Security Subcommittee, “COVID Economic Effects”
Spring 2020 Robert J. Dole Fellow, University of Kansas, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics January-April 2020
- Conducted a series of seven seminars with internationally recognized intelligence and information experts looking at the challenges and new developments effecting “Spying in the Cyber Age.”
Informatica Federal Operations Corporation, Outside Director, November 2015- Present
- Oversees issues related to Foreign Ownership Control Issues(FOCI)
- Chair, Compensation and Audit Committees
The Pete Conrad Foundation, Member, Board of Advisors(January 2019- Present)
- Advise on efforts focusing on high school age STEM education and entrepreneurship around the world
- Judge, Annual Conrad Foundation Challenge, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Johns Hopkins University, Krieger School, Masters in Global Security Program, Adjunct Faculty, Fall 2016- Present
- Created/Teaches course on “Introduction to Homeland Security Intelligence.”
The Intelligence and Security Academy, Senior Faculty March 2009 – Present
- Lectures on the history and structure of the U.S. Intelligence Community and Cyber Issues
- Lectures on the budget building and execution process of the National Security Community
CURRENT SECURITY CLEARANCES
TS SCI (CI and Lifestyle Polygraph) Most recent BI completed 2/2012
TS in JPAS (DOD) Most recent BI completed 11/17
PREVIOUS ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES
The Daniel Morgan Academy for National Security Studies, Chair of the Intelligence Program and Professor, (now Texas A&M, Bush Center for Government, DC) December 2016 – June 2019
- Developed for the Diana Davis Spencer Foundation an M.A. level program in Intelligence and Cyber
- Managing the Intelligence Program
- Overseeing staff and program for one of four main teaching pillars
Visiting Instructor, United Arab Emirates, National Defense College, Dean of the College, February-March 2014
- Develop Cyber program for NDC
- Lecture on Intelligence challenges for the 21st Century.
The George Washington University, College of Professional Studies, Adjunct for Intelligence, 2012-14
- Lectured on Intelligence
- Developed/Advised on creation of M.A. level Intelligence Program
Adjunct Professor of National Security, National Defense University, College of International Security Affairs, M.A. Program, January 2006-June 2012
- Lectured on Intelligence
- Homeland Security Intelligence
- Cyber and Cyber Intelligence
PREVIOUS PROFESSIONAL ACTIVIITES
The Daniel Morgan Academy for National Security Studies, Chair of the Intelligence Program and Professor (now Texas A&M Bush School of Government and Public Service)
December 2016 – June 2019
- Developed for the Diana Davis Spencer Foundation an M.A. level program in Intelligence and Cyber
- Managing the Intelligence Program
- Overseeing staff and program for one of four main teaching pillars
- Creating Management Strategies for senior executives in the public and private sector
Intelligence Enterprises, LLC, President and Senior Partner
November 2010—December 2016
Advising companies on potential mergers and acquisitions opportunities in the national security and cyber arena
Counseling firms entering the Washington, D.C. Federal market place
- Reviewing and advising RFP's & RFI’s for the government and private sector firms
CLIENTS INCLUDED (Examples):
- Program Director, Battelle Memorial Institute’s National Cyber Doctrine Program. In that role, in December 2012, Marks oversaw the production of “#CyberDoc No-Borders-No Boundaries – A National Doctrine in the Cyber Era” for Potomac Institute Press. He contributed Chapter 13, “Providing for the Common Defense.”
- Advisor to the CEO, Zeta Associates (now Northrup Grumman) Served as advisor on Intelligence Community and Homeland Security cyber and software issues; Congressional strategies
- Oracle Corporation, Senior Director, National Security Group Manager for Intelligence Community business for the largest database corporation in the world – focus on CIA and DNI
Oversaw Congressional and marketing strategies for NSG Developed unified business unit for the above
- Consultant, COLSA Corporation. Advising senior leadership of a technology services and solutions company providing the latest and most sophisticated engineering, IT, and programmatic solutions for Federal Government and Commercial customers.
Oxford Analytica, Inc, Senior Vice President for Government Relations/DC Office Director
July 2005- November 2010
- Director of the D.C. office overseeing all personnel and operations; reporting to Managing Director w/ P&L responsibilities
- Recruited to build and expand upon existing US government consultancy business in the Executive and Legislative branches; establish non-US government business profile in DC
- Act as a Senior Advisor to the Managing Director on issues related to Intelligence and National Security matters world wide
- Act as primary contact for interactions with US Legislative Branch
- Public spokesman and contact for DC office
- Registered lobbyist
Digital Sandbox, Inc, Vice President for Business Development/Equity Partner July 2004-May 2005
- Successfully completed the establishment of business development activities to move company to second round of funding
- Member of the Executive Management and Equity Partner, recruited by Start- up risk management software firm
- Overseeing/Developing a new sales strategy and sales force hiring
- Directing $500K marketing and public relations programs; establishing Congressional lobbying effort.
British Telecom-Syntegra Federal, COO and Director of Federal and National Capitol Region Business Development
December 2002-July 2004
- Chief Operating Officer of BT Federal operations w/ focus on system management and integration; P&L responsibilities
- Recruited to establish and manage BD organization for a $12 million unit of BT pursuing IT business throughout the Federal Government and state and
local governments in the National Capitol Region with focus on DHS and DOD
- Oversee BT Syntegra $150K marketing program including press and public relations
- Open and establish ties w/appropriate Congressional offices
- Established, coordinate and oversee 20 BT Business Developers for the Federal market with focus on the Intelligence Community, DHS and DOD
- Revised product offering to reflect needs of Federal market with emphasis on Homeland Security and Defense
SRA International, Director of Intelligence Program Development, September 2001-December 2002
- Recruited to establish first DOD/Intel Community business development program with a $200 million per yr IT firm
- Initiated and participated in successful acquisition of $47 million IT company to enhance corporate position in the DOD/Intelligence market
- Participant/Consultant in first US Senate emergency exercise drill
- Helped establish Homeland Security work within SRA
Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)
Senior Intelligence Expert/Business Development Manager, August 1999-September 2001
- Provided expert advice and led contracts supporting the Intelligence Community including:
- Initiated and participated in the attempted acquisition of two $50 million plus IT firms to deepen SAIC position in the Intel market
- NRO/PA&E large-scales studies related to intelligence collection deploying and building National Technical Means, “tabletop” war games, and analytical output to support decision making
- Won $5 million worth of new systems management, integration and analysis business
- Served as Deputy of Operations (Number2 position) for a $17 million business unit w/ P&L responsibilities
Central Intelligence Agency, Various Mid-Level/Senior Positions October 1983-August 1999
- Clandestine Service/Graduate of Career Trainee Program – October1983- May 1990
- Director of Central Intelligence/Senate Legislative Liaison Officer – May 1990- February 1995
Served as senior DO Senate liaison for the Senate
- Intelligence Counsel to Senate Majority Leaders (Sens. Robert Dole and Trent Lott) February 1995-October 1996
Oversaw Intelligence Community Program and Budget
- NRO Senior Budget/Legislative Liaison Officer, Resource Oversight Management Office October 1996-June 1997
Drafted section of the FY97 Congressional Budget Justification Book Dealt with Senate and House Intelligence Community on Budget and Program Issues
- Program Director, US State Department Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, ($30 million aid/grant program) (June 1997- March 98)
Created and Oversaw first comprehensive State Department aid program for law enforcement support – fifteen-person staff
- Special Assistant to the ADCI for Military Support (March 1998-August 1999)
*Led CIA efforts to begin participation in US Military war games
*Established CIA Exercise Support Center
*Dealt with Congressional oversight committees on issues of military intelligence
Becron Corporation, Portland, Oregon Consultant/Registered Lobbyist
June 1978-September 1981/December 1982-October 1983
- Advised and lobbied for clients on Federal land use issues
- Prepared and presented project-related economic feasibility studies
- Reviewed potential contracts and bid opportunities
University of Oregon, Lecturer in Economics
Lane Community College, Adjunct Professor in Economics Eugene, Oregon
September 1981 – September 1983
- Instructor, Economics, University of Oregon
- Lecturer, Lane Community College, Economics
EDUCATION
M Sci., University of Oregon, Economics, December 1982
Attended, Northwestern School of Law, Lewis and Clark College, 1978-79
B. Sci, Lewis and Clark College, Business Administration and Economics, June 1978
Honors in Business and Economics Departments
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Member, Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO)
Member, Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) Member, Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA)
Member, OSS Society
Member, Central Intelligence Retirement Association (CIRA) Member, American Economic Association
Member, International Association for Intelligence Education (IAFIE)
CONGRESSIONAL TESTIMONY/REPORTS
“On GAO Oversight of the Intelligence Community, 29 February2008, Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee (Testimony)
“Open Source Intelligence: Issues for Congress,” 5 December 2007, Congressional Research Service (Report-Contributor)
“Report on Intelligence Role in Homeland Security,” Fall 2006, Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee for Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment, U.S. House of Representatives (Report-Contributor)
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Book
“Spying in America in the Post 9/11 World: Domestic Threat and the Need for Change”, Praegar Security International Publishing, published January 2011
“#CyberDoc No-Borders-No Boundaries – A National Doctrine in the Cyber Era,” Chapter 13, “Providing for the Common Defense,” Potomac Institute Press, published December 2012
Journal Articles
“Intelligence Analysis– Is It as Good as It Gets?” International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence, w/Dr. Mark M. Lowenthal, Winter 2015
“The Use and Limits of US Intelligence,” Washington Quarterly, Winter 2002, pgs 61- 74 w/ Frank Cilluffo and George Salmaroghi
“Defining America’s Brave New World”, Article, Cambridge Review of International Affairs, Vol. 15, No.2, 1 July 2002, pgs 329-343
Blog
Contributor, The George Washington University Center of Cyber and Homeland Security, Security Insights Blog, September 2014-Present
Weekly Contributor, National Journal Expert Blog, National Security Issues, December 2008-December 2012
Monthly Contributor, SecurityDebrief.com, Cyber and Domestic intelligence issues, April 2011- April 2014
Major National Security Reports
Contributor -- "Reducing Over-classification Through Accountability," Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, 2011
Contributor -- "Report on US Intelligence Community Data Retention," Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, 2013
CSIS/Heritage Foundation Joint Report: Homeland Security 3.0, “Building a National Enterprise to Keep America Free Safe and Prosperous, 18 September 2008, (Panel Member/Drafter)
Russian Organized Crime and Corruption: Putin's Challenge 2000
Center for Strategic and International Studies, Transnational Threats Project CSIS Panel Report; 92 pp.; 2000 (Panel Member/Drafter)
Published Articles(as author and contributor-excluding blogs)
“US QDR May Expand U.S. Defense Edge,” 2 Feb 2010, Oxford Analytica Daily Brief
“US Terror Report Driven by Politics,” 8 Jan 2010, Oxford Analytica Daily Brief
“QDR Focuses on Non-Traditional Threats,” 12 Aug 2009, Oxford Analytica Daily Brief
“Obama Seeks to Boost Morale at CIA,” 20 April 2009,Oxford Analytica Daily Brief
“Gates and Obama Reshape DOD Leadership,” 27 Jan 2009, Oxford Analytica Daily Brief
“How Obama Will Use the CIA”, 8 Jan 2009, Oxford Analytica Daily Brief
“McCain Emphasizes Security Competence Abroad”, 17 March 2008, Oxford Analytica Daily Brief
“Gates Shapes New Intelligence Leadership,” 9 Jan 2007, Oxford Analytica Daily Brief
“Gates Has the Tools to Lead Defense,” 6 December 2006, Oxford Analytica Daily Brief
“Gates Will Help Reshape US Intelligence,” 13 November 2006, Oxford Analytica Daily Brief
“Intelligence Shakeup Courts Controversy,” 12 May 2006, Oxford Analytica Daily Brief
“DNI Aims to Boost Intelligence Analysis,” 10 January 2006, Oxford Analytica Daily Brief
“CIA Shakes up Clandestine Service,” 23 Sept 2005, Oxford Analytica Daily Brief
“Spying and the Internet,” Op-Ed, Washington Times,25 April 2005
“The Voices of Intelligence,” Op-Ed, Washington Times, 8 April 2005 “Intelligence Reform Begins,” Op-Ed, Washington Times, 31 March 2005
“The Right Man, At the Right Time,” Op-Ed, Washington Times, 18 February2005 “Road to CIA Reform,” Op-Ed, Washington Times, 1 December 2004
“Keep an Eye on the Ball, ”Op-Ed, Washington Times, 16 August 2004 “Of Security and Systems”, Op-Ed, Washington Times, 13 May 2004
“Torricelli’s See No Evil Rule,” Op-Ed w/Arnaud De Borchgrave, Washington Times, 7 October 2002
“US Intelligence Needs to Review Its Spy Game Playbook”, Article, “Insight on the News”, 2 April 2001
IMP Magazine (on-line), Two Articles, February2001 “The Economic Everyman”, and November 2000, “The Economics of the Internet.”