Speakers
- Special Agent (ret.) Mark Vukelich
- Special Agent (ret.) G. B. Jones
Details

Join CISS and the MIL101 team to learn how 9/11 changed the FBI and its continuing role in U.S. national security.
About the Speakers
Mark R. Vukelich retired from a 40-year career in law enforcement where he gained a wealth of experience and expertise in investigative leadership and intelligence collaboration. Throughout his almost three decades at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), he spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at enhancing information sharing, strengthening interagency cooperation, and combating various threats to national security and public safety.
One achievement was the establishment and management of the Safe Trails Task Force, where he served as the supervisor of Rapid City and Pierre, SD Resident Agencies. Leading a team Special Agents, State Agents, Local and Tribal Police Officers, Mark orchestrated a force-multiplier effort that transcended jurisdictional boundaries, fostering intelligence sharing and breaking down barriers between agencies. This initiative bolstered collaboration and significantly contributed to the apprehension of criminals operating across multiple regions. Recognized for his leadership, Mark was selected as a Temporary Duty (TDY) Supervisory Special Agent to help develop the Field Intelligence Group (FIG) for the FBI Minneapolis Division. In this role, he formulated the mission statement, goals, and policies while overseeing the recruitment and selection of analysts. Through the establishment of the FIG, his team streamlined intelligence gathering and analysis, enabling swift and effective responses to emerging threats. Throughout this same period, Mark assisted in the establishment of Minnesota’s Fusion Center, facilitating seamless coordination among diverse stakeholders.
Mark’s contributions extend beyond operational leadership to include innovative solutions in information management. In the early 1980’s, action as the first Information Systems Administrator (ISA) in the El Paso Division, he developed a sophisticated database management system to track witnesses and evidence in complex white-collar crime and narcotics trafficking investigations. This case management system served as a model later used for collaborative intelligence sharing in subsequent multi-agency investigations.
Following his career with the FBI, Mark transitioned to the role of Assistant Vice President at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, where he managed a 75-person Federal police department. Over the course of eleven years, he dedicated himself to ensuring the security of personnel and infrastructure across the Federal Reserve's 12th District, encompassing Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and part of Michigan. At the Federal Reserve, Mark oversaw the day-to-day operations, implementing strategies to safeguard critical assets and mitigate security risks. One of his notable achievements was the establishment of the intelligence function within the Federal Reserve system. Through the creation of the Federal Reserve’s Joint Analysis Center, Mark orchestrated the gathering and synthesis of suspicious activity data, transforming it into actionable intelligence. This initiative enhanced the security posture of the Federal Reserve. Additionally, Mark had the privilege of serving on the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force Executive Board in Minneapolis, where he facilitated collaboration between the Federal Reserve and law enforcement agencies and intelligence entities. The intelligence products generated by the Joint Analysis Center were seamlessly integrated into the FBI's intelligence apparatus, enhancing the effectiveness of investigative efforts and counterterrorism initiatives.
G.B. Jones is the Chief Safety and Security Officer for the FIFA World Cup 2026 (FWC2026), where he is responsible for leading safety and security planning and operations, venue security, crisis management, access control, accreditation, and emergency preparedness planning for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and its test events. The FIFA World Cup 2026 will host forty-eight participating teams playing 104 games in sixteen venues across the United States, Canada, and Mexico in June and July 2026. It will be one of the largest coordinated security operations ever in North America.
Prior to joining FWC2026, Mr. Jones was the International Security Director for the National Football League (NFL), where he led security planning for the NFL's international markets, including the International Series Games in London, Germany, and Mexico. Mr. Jones retired from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in May 2019 after nearly 23 years of service. He was a sworn law enforcement officer for more than 31 years and has experience as a municipal police officer, deputy sheriff, Minnesota State Trooper, and FBI Agent. He possesses significant background in homeland security and emergency management and is a FEMA Master Exercise Practitioner. A Nationally Registered EMT since 1988, Mr. Jones served as a Tactical Medic his entire FBI career. He was a rated FBI co-pilot and FLIR/video optical systems operator until his retirement, and he holds FAA Private Pilot and Part 107 Commercial Remote Pilot certifications.
As an Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Mr. Jones managed criminal, counterterrorism, intelligence, counterintelligence, cyber, administrative, and training programs throughout the state of Wisconsin. He also commanded the crisis management teams, including the SWAT Team, Special Agent Bomb Technicians, WMD program, and Evidence Response Team. Mr. Jones served as the FBI's On-Scene Commander during the interagency response to three separate mass shooting events. He deployed overseas in support of the U.S. Military as the FBI’s Deputy On-Scene Commander for counterterrorism operations, where he led teams responsible for investigating counterterrorism, counterintelligence, counter-IED, hostage taking, and violent crime matters. He served as the Unit Chief of the Special Events Management Unit at FBI Headquarters and directed counterterrorism preparedness programs related to special event security, aviation security, and maritime security. Mr. Jones led two Joint Terrorism Task Forces, including one he supervised during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. He testified before Members of the U.S. Congress on three occasions, and his actions and those taken by the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) for which he was responsible are chronicled in the Final Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (the 9/11 Commission Report).
Mr. Jones is a certified FBI Intelligence Officer, and he earned the FBI Joint Duty qualification. He served as a SWAT Operator, Sniper/Observer, Crisis Management Coordinator, Police Instructor, Firearms Instructor, and Adjunct Faculty member for the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA. Mr. Jones is a graduate of the 262nd Session of the FBI National Academy. He earned a master’s degree in public administration from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, and a master’s degree in National Security Studies - Homeland Security and Defense from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA.