Dr. Mark Suriano, Ph.D., a member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Director of Nuclear Integration, under the Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. In this capacity, he assists the Deputy Chief of Staff on all matters related to nuclear systems integration and nuclear command, control and communication, across both joint and interagency levels as well as with international partners.
Dr. Suriano retired from active duty in 2017, at the rank of colonel, United States Air Force. He entered civil service in 2017 where he led the National Technical Nuclear Forensics Center in the Department of Homeland Security. Over the course of his career, he has served in a broad range of nuclear sciences, technology, and acquisition leadership roles across the Air Force, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Energy. His assignments span early-career research and analysis positions, multiple squadron commands, senior leadership within the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, and executive-level positions directing national nuclear forensics, counter-weapons of mass destruction acquisition, and nuclear modernization programs.
Prior to his current position, Dr. Suriano was the Deputy Principal Assistant Deputy Administrator for the Office of Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Defense Programs, National Nuclear Security Administration at the Department of Energy. He was responsible for overseeing the scientific and technical infrastructure required to maintain the nation’s nuclear deterrent and managed the science, engineering, and technology development initiatives across the national laboratory complex.
EDUCATION
1991 Bachelor of Science, Nuclear Engineering and minor in International Affairs, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta
1995 Master of Science, Nuclear Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
1998 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2001 Doctorate, Nuclear Physics and Nuclear Weapons Effects, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
2004 Joint and Combined Warfighting School-Intermediate (JPME-II), Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va.
2011 Air War College and first class of the Air War College Grand Strategy Program, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2011 Master of Science, Strategic Studies, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 1991–June 1993, Nuclear Research Officer, Air Force Phillips Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.
2. June 1993–May 1994, Thermionic Technology Engineer, Air Force Phillips Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
3. May 1994–December 1995, Master’s Student, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
4. January 1995–August 1998, Nuclear Science and Technology Analyst, Air Force Technical Applications Center, Patrick AFB, Fla.
5. August 1998–November 2001, Doctoral Student, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
6. November 2001–September 2004, Chief of Livermore Detachment, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, Calif.
7. September 2004–September 2007, Division Chief, Advanced Plans and Programs, Air Armament Center, Eglin AFB, Fla.
8. September 2007–January 2008, Director of Operations, 687th Armament Systems Squadron, Air Armaments Center, Eglin AFB, Fla.
9. January 2008–June 2008, Commander, 687th Armament Systems Squadron, Air Armaments Center, Eglin AFB, Fla.
10. June 2008–June 2009, Commander, 511th ICBM Systems Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
11. June 2009–July 2010, Commander, 510th ICBM Systems Squadron, Hill AFB, Utah
12. July 2010–June 2011, Student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
13. June 2011–June 2012, Chief Strategic Missile Programs, AF Program Executive Office for Strategic Systems, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
14. July 2012–May 2014, Chief Scientist, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.
15. May 2014–March 2015, Director, Nuclear Capabilities Directorate, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
16. March 2014–February 2017, Director, Air Delivered Capabilities Directorate, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
17. February 2017–December 2017, Director of the National Technical Nuclear Forensics Center, Domestic Nuclear Detection Organization, Department of Homeland Security, Washington, D.C.
18. December 2017–August 2018, Component Acquisition Executive, Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction, Department of Homeland Security, Washington, D.C.
19. August 2018–February 2019, Senior Acquisition Advisor and Chief of Staff, Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction, Department of Homeland Security, Washington, D.C.
20. February 2019–October 2025, Deputy Principal Assistant Deputy Administrator for the Office of Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, Defense Programs, National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy, Washington, D.C.
21. October 2025–present, Director of Nuclear Integration, Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Arlington, Va.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Joint Service Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrent Operations Service Medal with silver oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon
(Current as of June 2026)