Col. Mark Cooter

Colonel Mark Cooter (USAF, Retired), a distinguished Air Force intelligence officer, has operational experience in DESERT STORM, the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya operations. As a Predator squadron operations officer, he led Predator programs from their near inception in Bosnia through joint Air Force/CIA operations in Afghanistan and beyond. Mark Cooter served as the Operations Officer for the Air Combat Command’s Expeditionary Air Intelligence Squadron, the United States Air Force component of this Joint CIA/USAF venture operating the RQ-1 and MQ-1 Predator Remotely Piloted Aircraft System. He is the only AF Intelligence officer to be a Predator Squadron Operations Officer. He also served as the Air Force’s lead action officer for this endeavor. He completed a distinguished, highly decorated military career as an Air Force Intelligence Officer in 2013, retiring at the rank of Colonel after 28 years of service. His decorations include the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, two Legions of Merit, ten Meritorious Service Medals, the Aerial Achievement Medal two, Air Force Commendation Medals, and the Air Force Achievement Medal. He was twice recognized as the Air Combat Command Intelligence Officer of the Year. As a Fighter Weapons School Graduate, he commanded the 497th of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group and the 547th Intelligence Squadron. He also had staff tours at the Air Staff, Air Combat Command, United States Central Command, United States U.S. Air Forces Central Command, and other unit/staff assignments. Since retiring from active duty in 2013, he’s served as the Director of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Operations for PatchPlus Consulting, Inc. As such, he provides subject matter expertise to operations, acquisition, and industry partners including support to warfighting and research efforts, instruction for various training courses, and staff support. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from East Tennessee State University, a master’s Degree in Computer Resources and Information Management from Webster University, and a master’s Degree in Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy from the National Defense University. His wife, Colonel Angelina Maguinness is still serving on active duty in the United States Air Force and they currently reside in San Angelo, Texas.