Mark Gorenflo
Not in residence
Mark Gorenflo is currently the Director of Operations for the Defense Innovation Unit Experimental (DIUx) in Mountain View, CA. DIUx aims to scout, connect and support the innovation of disruptive technology that sustains and extends U.S. strategic advantage in defense while contributing to our nation’s security and prosperity.
From September 2014 to October 2015, Gorenflo worked as a Principal Consultant for Systems Planning & Analysis (SPA). SPA provides unrivaled technical and analytical support to executive decision makers throughout the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security and Energy.
From July 2009 to September 2014, Gorenflo was the Principal Director to the Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy for Policy [DUSN (Policy)]. DUSN (Policy) is the Secretary of the Navy’s primary civilian advisor on foreign and defense policy; itelligence policy; future naval capabilities and concepts; and serves as the Department of the Navy’s Security Executive.
Gorenflo was first appointed to the Senior Executive Service as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy for the Department of Veterans Affairs in April 2008. From September 2007 to April 2008, he served as Acting Principal Director for Forces Transformation & Resources for the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. From August 2005 to August 2007, he served as the Director of Communications for the 7th Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, ADM E. P. Giambastiani, Jr., USN. His first civilian appointment was as the Director of the Commander’s Advisory Group for Allied Command Transformation and U.S. Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia from October 2004 to August 2005.
From 1983 to 2004, Gorenflo served as a submarine officer in the United States Navy. During his Navy career, he served aboard USS Norfolk (SSN 714); USS Montpelier (SSN 765); USS Georgia (SSBN 729)(Blue) as Executive Officer; and commanded USS Parche (SSN 683).
Gorenflo graduated with distinction from the United States Naval Academy in 1983, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree (majoring in English) as a Trident Scholar. He went on to study politics and philosophy as a Rhodes Scholar at the University of Oxford. He has been awarded the Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Distinguished Civilian Service Award, the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Legion of Merit with Gold Star, among other personal, unit and campaign awards. He is a Life Member and an award winning author of both the U.S. Naval Institute and the Naval Submarine League.
