In July 2020, Col. Mark Taylor was appointed to the position of project manager, Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO) at PEO EIS. DCO rapidly delivers innovative and dominant cyberspace capabilities for Army global networks, as well as tailored information technology solutions for national, joint and allied partners. As project manager, Taylor serves as the milestone decision authority for 10 acquisition category IV cyber programs and is responsible for the execution of over $1 billion in Army funding across the program objective memorandum.

Taylor graduated in 1997 from the United States Military Academy at West Point and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Aviation Branch. Following flight school, where he earned his rating as an UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter aviator, the Army assigned Taylor to the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) in Fort Drum, New York, where he served in various staff and command positions, and deployed first to Bosnia-Herzegovina in support of Stabilization Forces 6 (SFOR6), and then to Uzbekistan and Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Taylor’s other deployments include one-year tours with the 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Stanley, Republic of Korea, and the Coalition Forces Land Component Command (CFLCC), 3rd Army, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After commanding Alpha Company, 12th Aviation Battalion (VIP/Operational Support Airlift) at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Taylor transitioned to the Army Acquisition Corps, where he assumed responsibilities for the development, integration and fielding of new innovative technologies for military applications.

Over the last 13 years, Taylor has served in multiple aviation and intelligence acquisition program management positions for various divisions (to name a few): Program Executive Office Command Control Communications—Tactical (PEO C3T); United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM); Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology); and Office of the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army. He served as product manager, tactical applications at the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), where he was responsible for highly classified joint information technology and tactical intelligence programs valued in excess of $1.5 billion. Just prior to becoming project manager for DCO, he served as acting director of investments for the Army Budget Office, where he was responsible for the budgeting and execution of the Army’s $34 billion research and development, and procurement portfolio.

Taylor’s civilian education includes a Bachelor of Science in environmental engineering (USMA); a Master of Business Administration (George Washington University); and a Master of Public Administration (Strayer University). His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal; Defense Meritorious Service Medal – First Oak Leaf Cluster (1 OLC); Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC); Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC); Army Achievement Medal (2 OLC); Senior Army Aviator Badge; Army Basic Space Badge; Air Assault Badge; Army Parachutist Badge; Netherlands Parachutist Wings; and the Army Staff Identification Badge.