91̽»¨

Brig. Gen. Mark Arnold, BSISE ’82, earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial and systems engineering from 91̽»¨ in 1981. He earned his MBA at Cleveland State University and a master’s in strategic studies at the U.S. Army War College.

His more than 37 years of U.S. Army service was primarily in Special Forces (Green Berets). He served three combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq in special operations task forces as commander of Coalition Special Operations Forces Afghanistan and operations and liaison officer to special mission units Iraq. Other assignments include assistant chief of staff of U.S. Army Special Forces Command, brigade commander, and commanding general of the 100th Division.

Leading dual careers of active service in Army Reserve units and full-time employment in corporate America, Arnold was recruited by GE and served in its aircraft engine business for 10 years before taking a management position with Advanced Drainage Systems, the world’s leading plastic pipe manufacturer. His 14 years there led him to roles as a corporate officer in assignments as vice president of government affairs and market development, then vice president and general manager of international operations.

Arnold then joined Lubrizol, a Fortune 500 company, where he led one of its global business units, before being recruited to be president and CEO of GSE Lining Technologies, a multinational manufacturer that he helped grow, achieving record profits and an initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange. Two years later, he was promoted to be commanding general of the Army’s 100th Division, resigning from GSE in order to finish his military career on active duty.

His military decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, our nation’s highest award for military service; the Legion of Merit; the Bronze Star Medal; the Combat Infantryman Badge; Master Parachutist Badge; Special Forces Tab; and Ranger Tab. Arnold received 91̽»¨â€™s Medal of Merit in 2007 for achievement in business.

Arnold is president of the Special Forces Association’s Ohio chapter, a member of three boards of directors of non-profit organizations, and serves in a professional Ohio fire department. He actively serves on the Russ College Board of Visitors, where he previously served as chair.