Counter Terrorism Expert to Speak on Campus Oct. 1

An expert in counter narcotics and counter terrorism will speak on campus on Wednesday, Oct. 1, sponsored by the National Security & Intelligence Program, the Criminal Justice Department and the Open Source Intelligence Exchange at Fairmont State University.

Retired DEA Special Agent Charles Gardner will discuss “How to Put a Business Out of Business” Attacking Organized Crime at 1 p.m. Oct. 1 in the third floor Falcon Center conference rooms. The event is open to students, faculty and staff. A reception will follow.

Gardner is an independent consultant and authority on law enforcement and intelligence issues. He is a member of the Global Training Team, traveling the world teaching law enforcement officers advanced narcotics investigation and intelligence seminars. Gardner previously worked for Booz Allen Hamilton as a subject matter expert on counter narcotics and counter terrorism issues. While at Booz Allen Hamilton, Gardner led a supply chain attack strategy against Cartel activity from Colombia and Mexico. Gardner is a 28-year veteran of the Drug Enforcement Administration, where as a Special Agent he led several international drug trafficking investigations. Gardner also served as an instructor at the DEA Academy in Quantico, Va.

Fairmont State’s National Security and Intelligence Program is designed to provide students with the tools they need to pursue careers in research or intelligence analysis. The Open Source Intelligence Exchange (OSIX) is the laboratory and applied research arm of the University’s National Security and Intelligence Program. Students working in the OSIX lab gather and analyze intelligence from open sources, including online discussion boards, social media and chatrooms, to identify and assess national security and law enforcement threats. For more information about the National Security and Intelligence Program, visit http://www.fairmontstate.edu/collegeofliberalarts/academics/national-security-and-intelligence-program.

FSU offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice. For more information, visit http://www.fairmontstate.edu/collegeofliberalarts/academics/criminal-justice-program.

OSIXCriminal JusticeCollege of Liberal ArtsNational Security and Intelligence ProgramCharles GardnerDEAOpen Source Intelligence Exchange