Mark Pardue

Education/Technical

Graduated High School at 16 and started college earning a B.S.E.E. 4 years later.

Starting in Senior year of college, was a design engineer for Architectural & Engineering firm designing Electrical Distribution Systems and Lighting for Shopping Malls and Office Towers.

Earned a Master of Engineering doing research with NASA Langley on Helicopter Control systems.  Went on to work for the U.S. Navy on Controls and Instrumentation for Nuclear Reactors on Aircraft Carriers and Submarines.

Obtained Virginia registration as a Professional Engineer and designed Solar Photovoltaic systems for the U.S. Dept. of Energy.

Later was trained in internet protocols by Vinton Cerf and his associates (the developers of the Internet), and in open network standards using the OSI Model by the developers of the OSI Model.  Designed and implemented networks for Commercial and Military clients, including the advanced digital communications systems now used on aircraft carriers for Damage Control communications.

Earned an MBA and managed multi-million dollar defense company subsidiary as Vice President.  Later became a full-time consultant in technical and management areas.  Worked on Top Secret defense projects for the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, and Joint Commands.

Earned the 1^st PhD in Information Technology awarded in the United States, specializing in Simulation, Networking, and Artificial Intelligence.  Went on to develop Software Expert Systems for use by Coalition Military Forces.

While teaching at Old Dominion University, developed the university's first computer networking course.

While teaching at ECPI University (then named ECPI College), developed the school's first Masters degree, which led to the designation of ECPI University.

Personal

Professional musician since the age of 15, playing trumpet, keyboards, vocals with local bands initially to earn money for college but now play just for enjoyment. 

Released a record album of original music performing vocals, keyboards, guitar, bass, trumpet, flute, sax, and percussion.

Played college intramural football, basketball, and softball.  Played semi-pro football for a partial season until injury (broken back).

Enjoyed skydiving for a dozen or so jumps (too many equipment mishaps to enjoy continuing, so I stopped while I was still alive and undamaged).

Coached youth basketball and soccer.

Continue to work on and ride an antique motorcycle on warm weekends.

Invented and produced:

• KegminderTM - electronice device that displays the amount of beer left in a keg.
• Guitar Toggle Switch - a set of devices to allow one toggle footswitch to go back and forth between two different amp modeling scenes during live performances.