Mark Sarfati
Tivoli, NY
A graduate of California State University, Chico, with degrees in English and Journalism, began a career as a freelance photographer before joining the East Bay Express, a free-circulation newsweekly based in Berkeley, California — eventually becoming its Operations Manager, then Managing Director.
Leaving the paper to join University Press Books, the publishing arm of the University of California, helped develop what was possibly the first online book-purchasing platform — three months before Amazon began operations.
In 1996, following his spouse's appointment to the Foreign Service, became the Online Managing Editor of the Gleaner Newspaper, (Kingston, Jamaica). While relocating every two to three years throughout Europe and Asia, continued building an international career in digital communications and information management, including serving as Managing Online Director, Press and Public Relations, for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Secretariat in Vienna, Austria.
During a two-year domestic assignment served as Knowledge Manager for the Office of the Executive Director / Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs and the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, (NEA-SCA/EX), at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.
Upon returning overseas, continued working for the U.S. Government as a contract Special Investigator with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management — under the direction of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Personnel Safety and Security division of the U.S. State Department — conducting worldwide investigative assignments in coordination with Regional Security Officers at U.S. embassies around the globe. Duties included performing background investigations for individuals and military members renewing or applying for positions requiring security clearances with the U.S. Government.
Currently living in the Hudson Valley, taking on assignments when possible.