Spivey Family - It was an honor to meet you at Mark's service, and I am so very sorry for your huge loss. Mark was an Outstanding mentor and boss. I worked for him when I first started 11 years ago, and was happy to join his current branch last year. He built up people, played the long game, and had a strong sense of mission and vision. Mark came by to talk to us at least once a day, and in doing so he instilled cameraderie, a shared vision, and made us feel seen. He helped me a great deal when I had health issues last year. Mark radiated positivity and I will miss him a great deal.  

Mark was one of the best bosses I ever had. He provided wisdom and moral support when I was a younger acting division chief who was dealing with some... colorful personnel issues. He also encouraged me when my mother was losing her battle with cancer. Mark was probably the most even-tempered senior I have ever known. My time with him was a true gift to me. Praying for his family and friends during this time of great loss. Memory Eternal  <><

I worked with Mark for 4 years or so, Mark was a great boss and we saw things the same way. I convinced Mark, who never traveled, to take a business trip with me to Denver to see one of our satellite offices. There was a snowstorm predicted for D.C. expected late Saturday. We flew to Denver Thursday morning planning to return Friday late. When we landed in Denver we noticed the storm had accelerated and would hit DC Friday. I looked at Mark and said we ought to change our flight. He agreed and the only flight not cancelled was 1:30 PM (in three hours), we changed our flight, drove to the office, said hi and good bye and returned to DC. I think it was the last time Mark traveled for work; DC got snowed in for a week the next morning. 

We talked a lot on that trip, Mark talked about his wife (Claire) and his children, you knew they were his world. And his love for them beamed bright in all our discussions.  He was a great man. 

Dear Spivey Family.  I was deeply saddened when I heard the news of Mark's passing.  I have been working with Mark for the last 11 years.  His dedication to serving in roles to protect his country were outstanding.  I was impressed by his vision and how he always looked to make things better.  We shared some of those visions and work toward them.  They didn't always come to fruition but he would march on and work with what he was given.  The world will be a lesser place without him.

I was priviledged to be a contractor in direct support of Mark from 2009 to 2013.

Dear Spivey Family - I was privileged to know and work with Mark over the years, and was shocked and saddened to hear of his passing.  What can I say about him?  Grace, humility, intelligence, support, collaboration, friendship.  I share your grief.  The world is a little poorer today without Mark in it, but so much richer for him having been part of it.  Thank you, Lord, for sharing him with all of us.  - AJ

I had been working for Mark at NGA for only a year. My boss, Ray Isbell, who also worked for Mark had logged into a computer to share slides during a meeting and had forgotten to log out. I decided to change his background to his profile photo splattered across the screen before logging him out. This was before we had thin clients and traveling profiles. A few months later, when we had all gathered for a morning meeting, Ray had to login to that conference room computer to give a presentation. Unbeknownst to him, his background image was projected on the large screen in the conference room before he could view his desktop. Everyone started laughing and Mark, who was normally very reserved, couldn't contain himself and got the chuckles that went on for a minute. That was the only time I heard Mark laugh during the 8 years that I worked for him. Mark displayed consummate professionalism. He was a man of few words in the office, but when he spoke, everyone listened. He loved his family and he loved serving his country.  From him I learned an important lesson in leadership; that it's not what you say, but what you don't say. Thank you Mark, for demonstrating what it means to be a servant leader.