Finding Fulfillment in Federal Service

Calling all future public servants!

Wondering what it's like to work for the federal government?
Inspired to use your skills and knowledge to make a real impact on national security?

Join us for an Alum in Residence with Mark Nehmer to find out what he’s discovered truly differentiates working for the federal government from working in the private sector, and why for him federal service was the far better fit. A native of Croswell, Michigan, Mark graduated from LSA in 1980 with majors in Economics and History. Upon graduation, he relocated to St. Louis, Missouri where he completed his Master of Business Administration from Fontbonne University with a dual concentration in Finance and Information Systems. Acknowledging the lack of job satisfaction after nearly 30 years working in the private sector, Mark made the bold decision to pivot, accepting the opportunity to help stand up United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) as its first Division Chief for Cyber Risk Management, responsible for the analysis of current and future DoD and Federal risk management and C4 (command, control, communications, and computer/cyber) direction for USCYBERCOM and DoD leadership teams.

Mark’s federal career has been a robust journey of building infrastructure for novel governmental management of emerging national threats and then leading in those nascent spaces. Mark joined the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) to manage standup activities for the Cyber-Counterintelligence division in 2013. He was a founding member responsible for projects and initiatives related to the establishment of the Defense Insider Threat Management and Analysis Center (DITMAC) in 2014. He did the same for the Defense Vetting Directorate and Program Executive Office (PEO) in 2018. As the first Technical Director of the PEO, Mark oversaw the incorporation and advancement in integration of innovative technologies, including practical applications of artificial intelligence. Now as Advisor of Technical Strategy for the PEO, Mr. Nehmer is responsible for the development and evolution of technical capabilities within the DCSA.

Mark’s work is not limited to the typical notions of national defense that the media and entertainment industries tend to draw attention to. In the advancement of stress and risk assessment technology, the development of artificial intelligence and its implementation in DCSA is further being evaluated for identifying those within the military and civilian populations who may be at risk of harming themselves. Mr. Nehmer is proud that his contributions in utilization of these evolving technologies will not only bolster national security, but will impact and save millions of lives, such as through pre-crisis ​intervention and suicide ​​prevention.

Make an appointment or drop by the Opportunity Hub to meet with Mark on Friday, February 16 from 12pm to 3pm. You can inquire further about his story, get advice for entering federal service, find out where or how to start looking for internships that will best prepare you for entering federal service at the highest grade and step possible! Mark is truly passionate about how life-changing his jump to federal service has been, and he wants to help guide Wolverines as they consider and navigate the possibilities. Don’t forget to invite a friend and join us for this Alum in Residence opportunity!