Mark is the Co-Branch Director of the Public Affairs Science and Technology (PAST) Fusion Cell at Argonne National Laboratory. He is responsible for assisting government, non-governmental organizations, and private sector groups with plans, training, and exercises for public affairs. Basnight is a founding member and a past Chair for the DHS Virtual Social Media Working Group. He served as a Lead PIO during the 2012 DNC and had a significant role in planning, coordinating and implementing the Joint Information Center for Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Mark is an alumnus of the inaugural FEMA Masters PIO Course and has served as an adjunct instructor for the Emergency Management Institute.