Remarks as Prepared: October 11, 2016
Thank you, Deputy Chief Chavez, and welcome everyone. I’m honored to be here today to administer the Oath of Office to Mark Morgan – a remarkable public servant and a man whose more than 30 years of military and law enforcement experience involve anti-terrorism and border security operations.
Mark’s career is marked by the kinds of accomplishments that make him more than qualified to assume the post of Chief of the United States Border Patrol.
First, let me point out that Mark is no stranger to CBP or its mission. In 2014, Mark was assigned to a joint duty assignment with CBP, where he served as Acting Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Internal Affairs – now the Office of Professional Responsibility. His firm resolve and steady hand helped OPR incorporate its important new investigative and enforcement authorities that strengthen CBP’s foundation of integrity, transparency, and accountability.
Mark is a hands-on leader who believes in engaging with agents … even before they become agents!
Within days of taking command of the Border Patrol in July, Mark went to the Border Patrol’s training academy in Artesia, New Mexico. He spoke eloquently to the trainees about the importance of leadership and training, and he actively participated in several exercises – including a 2-mile run, first-aid, firearms qualification, and emergency/defensive driving.
Prior to his selection as Chief, Mark had a 20-year career with the Federal Bureau of Investigations. He joined the FBI in 1996 as a special agent assigned to the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. In that capacity, he was a member of the Eurasian Organized Crime Task Force, the Crisis Response Squad, and the Special Weapons and Tactics Team.
In 2002, Mark became a supervisory special agent and served as a crisis management coordinator in the Crisis Management Unit in the Critical Incident Response Group.
He returned to Los Angeles in 2005, where he supervised an FBI-led Hispanic Gang Task Force that focused on the emerging presence of two organized and violent transnational gangs in Southern California: Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, and 18th Street. While in Los Angeles, he also supervised the Critical Incident Response Squad.
In 2007, Mark was selected to serve as the assistant section chief of the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime Branch, where he managed the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Units and the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program. In 2008, he became the FBI’s deputy on-scene commander in Baghdad, Iraq, where he was responsible for all FBI personnel deployed to Iraq as part of the Counterterrorism Division.
The following year, he was assigned to the New Haven Field Office as the assistant special agent in charge with responsibilities for the Criminal, Critical Incident Response, Surveillance, and Aviation programs. In 2010, Mark was named the section chief of the Strategic Information and Operations Center, Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG).
He was promoted in 2011 to special agent in charge of the El Paso Division.
Following that assignment, he served as the deputy assistant director for the FBI’s Inspection Division. And from 2014 – 2016, aside from his temporary detail to CBP, Mark was Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
Mark was an active-duty member and reservist in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Before joining the FBI, he served as a deputy sheriff in Platte County, Missouri and as an officer in the Los Angeles Police Department.
He has a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from Central Missouri State University and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
A warrior and a lawyer – really an unbeatable combination.
Before I wrap up, I’d like to thank Executive Assistant Commissioner Ron Vitiello for his superb leadership during the eight months he served as Chief of the Border Patrol – thank you, Ron.
Now, in closing, let me congratulate Mark on his new post as Chief of the United States Border Patrol. It’s truly an honor to administer your Oath of Office here today.