LTC Mark E. Powell
PMS / Department Head
Western Kentucky University

     Lieutenant Colonel Mark Powell, a native of South Carolina, was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, United States Army Signal Corps Officer upon graduation from Francis Marion University (FMU) in 1987 with a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering.  He is a Distinguished Military Graduate from FMU Army Reserve Officer's Training Corps (ROTC).

     After completing the Signal Officer Basic Course and the Signal Officer S-6 Course, LTC Powell was assigned to Fort Hood, Texas.  LTC Powell served at Fort Hood from 1988 until 1991.  While at Fort Hood, he served as Platoon Leader and Company Executive officer with 16th Signal Battalion, 3rd Signal Brigade; Squadron Signal Officer for 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armor Division; and Battalion Signal Officer for 3rd Battalion 67th Armor Regiment, Tiger Brigade, 2nd Armor Division.  LTC Powell deployed with 3/67 Armor during Desert Shield/Storm.

     After returning from the Middle- East, LTC Powell attended the Signal Officer Advance Course and the USAF Tactical Communications Management Course.  After completing both courses in May 1992, LTC Powell was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Field Artillery regiment, 3rd Infantry Division located in Bamberg Germany.  After a year, he assumed command of the 57th Signal Company (Separate MSE) supporting 5th Corps.  After 18 months of command, he inactivated the company and was assigned to Washington DC as a Senior AFCEA Fellow.  In this position, LTC Powell studied numerous new communications systems, providing valuable input to the Army G6 and the US Army Signal Center.

     At the completion of his fellowship, LTC Powell returned to Fort Gordon to teach at the Signal Officer Advance Course.  In 1997, LTC Powell deployed to Bosnia, supporting EUCOM J6.  He served as the Global Broadcast System (GBS) manager, where his team developed and deployed GBS platforms in theater.  After returning to Fort Gordon, LTC Powell was selected to be the S3 for the 442nd Signal Battalion.

     LTC Powell attended the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC) at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and simultaneously graduated with a Masters Degree in Telecommunications Management from Webster University in 2000.   After graduation, LTC was assigned as the S3 of the 40th Signal Battalion, 11th Signal Brigade.  During this tour of duty, LTC Powell deployed to the Middle-East/ Northern Africa twice in support CENTCOM missions.

     In 2002, LTC Powell was reassigned to the US Embassy in London, UK, serving as the U.S. Army Exchange Officer to the Signal Officer in Chief (Army) British Armed Forces.  LTC Powell served as the Chief Interoperability Branch for the last four years.  During this time, his team developed systems preventing international (US/UK) fratricide.  His team developed a Coalition Blue Force Situational Awareness system that allows both nations to instantaneously share information from the tactical to the strategic level.

     LTC Powell’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) for Valor, Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) (four awards), Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) (two awards), Joint Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (four awards), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal (three stars), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Overseas Service Ribbon (two awards) and  Global War on Terrorism Medal.  LTC Powell is an Honorary Member of the Order on Mercury.

Civilian Education:

BS Electrical Engineering, 1987 Francis Marion University

MA Telecommunications Management, Webster University, St Louis MO, 2000

Previous Assignments: 
Platoon Leader, Fort Hood TX-1988
Company Executive Officer, Fort Hood TX-1989
Squadron Signal Officer, Fort Hood TX-1989
Battalion Signal Officer, Fort Hood TX-1990-91
Battalion Signal Officer, Bamberg GE-1992
Company Commander, Kitzingen GE-1993
Senior Fellow, Washington DC-1995
Small Group Leader, Fort Gordon GA-1996, J6
Staff Officer, EUCOM-1997
Operations Officer S3 Fort Gordon GA-1998
Operations Officer S3 Fort Huachuca AZ-2000,
US Exchange Officer (Chief interoperability Branch) to HRM Forces, Blandford Camp UK 2002