Mark A. Callanan
Mark Alexander Callanan was born August 25, 1987, in Rochester, NY, and died June 7, 2016, in Washington, DC. He was survived by his parents Anne Williamson Callanan and Terrance Patrick Callanan, his brother Ryan Patrick Callanan, and his fiancée Kristi Altieri. Mark grew up in the village of Fairport, NY, surrounded by wonderful neighbors. He attended Fairport Schools throughout his childhood and graduated from Fairport High School in 2005. His amazing teachers recognized and nurtured his talent for writing and speaking, and they continue to support and care for him as an adult.
Mark graduated from Geneseo State University of New York in 2010, where he found intellectual challenges he enjoyed from his professors. Additionally, he gained many brothers from Sigma Nu Chi fraternity that he loved. Mark earned degrees in Political Science and History.
Mark has an impressive military background, having served in the United States Marine Corps Reserves from 2006 to 2013. During this time, he achieved many accomplishments, such as serving as the Platoon Sergeant of a Rifle Platoon. This role involved leading a team of up to 36 Marines and serving as the liaison between the company command element and the platoon. In 2009, Mark served as a Rifleman and Team Leader in Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He also operated as part of A Co.’s 1st Convoy Security Team on numerous missions with a 100% success rate, always ensuring the safe transportation of high-value personnel and equipment to their destination. Mark participated in Operation Agile Spirit 2011, where he trained the Republic of Georgia’s Army in basic and advanced infantry skills. His role included teaching classes on infantry tactics, utilizing both classroom and hands-on training methods to ensure that Alpha Company Marines had a comprehensive understanding of multiple subjects.
During his time as a Marine, Mark received the Sharpshooter Rifle Badge, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Service Deployment Ribbon, Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. The Marine Corps was Mark’s dream come true. The Marine Brotherhood was everything to him.
During the autumn of 2010, Mark worked as an intern at the White House in the Office of Presidential Correspondence. He was responsible for overseeing numerous volunteers who would draft daily and weekly reports for senior White House officials. These reports summarized the correspondence received through the White House Comment Line. Mark had the honor of formally introducing Vice-President Joe Biden during the conclusion of his internship.
Mark held the position of Logistics Team Lead for the Task Force for Business and Stability Operations from 2011 to 2013. During this time, he oversaw the transportation of $20 million worth of pipeline equipment, weighing 6,000 tons, into Afghanistan through USTRANSCOM. He managed the distribution of the equipment throughout Northern Afghanistan for an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) priority pipeline project. Mark acted as a liaison to various development organizations in Afghanistan, including attending regular meetings with senior leadership from organizations such as the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), US Forces – Afghanistan (USFOR-A), US Agency for International Development (USAID), and ISAF. He also coordinated the consolidation of equipment from nine suppliers in seven countries, managed the shipment of all the equipment into Mazar-e-Sharif from Dubai, and managed the ground movement of equipment from northern Iraq to Kuwait for airlift into northern Afghanistan in support of oil and gas exploration in the region. As a direct report to the Senior Military Advisor (Navy Captain, O-6), he provided intelligence and threat assessments to the security team and coordinated with US Military assets to facilitate the transportation of millions of dollars of equipment into Afghanistan for development projects. In the absence of the Senior Military Advisor, Mark took the lead to ensure accountability and progress on several major projects. He also made regular trips to the Ghorband and Panjsheer Valleys in support of multiple Micro-Hydro Power (MHP) sites to strengthen operational knowledge of the sites and assist the MHP team in information gathering and preparation for future projects.
From 2013 to 2014, Mark took on the challenging role of Project Manager for the Task Force. During this period, he successfully spearheaded a remarkable $60 million pipeline project in northern Afghanistan. His efforts resulted in the establishment of enhanced gas processing capabilities, marking the first significant increase in Afghanistan’s gas industry since the post-Soviet era. This achievement led to a substantial surge in the supply of natural gas, benefiting both industries and residents in the city of Mazar-e-Sharif. Furthermore, Mark played a pivotal role in establishing Afghanistan’s first-ever natural gas distribution company. Under his guidance, the expansion of the natural gas industry in Northern Afghanistan was realized through the historic signing of the country’s inaugural commercial Gas Purchase Agreement. This milestone not only promoted the industrial utilization of natural gas but also introduced a robust accountability process for gas production on a national scale. Additionally, Mark facilitated the construction of a state-of-the-art Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Mother Station and a CNG Car Conversion Facility. This significant development marked the advent of Afghanistan’s CNG industry, harnessing the country’s natural gas resources for economic growth in the post-Soviet era. This pioneering initiative showcased Mark’s commitment to leveraging Afghanistan’s energy potential for sustainable economic development.
Mark began working at Deloitte in 2015 as a Project Delivery Specialist, where he collaborated with the Transportation Security Agency until his untimely passing. Mark was a person of immense stature and kindness. He had a magnetic personality that filled every room he entered. Kristi was the love of his life, and his passing has left a void that can never be filled. However, we hold dear the memories of the impact he had on us, making us laugh, feel, cry, ponder, and become better individuals for having known and loved him.
Military Branch: Marine Corps
Rank: Sergeant
Years Enlisted: 2006-2013
Honors and Awards: Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror
Status: Honorably Discharged