THE PEOPLE’S COMMISSIONER
Published July 9, 2021 |
By Bill Wehr
Mark and Singapore Officer, Tiger Balm Exercise
Retired Lieutenant-Colonel’s path in life reflects accomplishment, commitment and hard work. He is bringing these qualities to work as a Clackamas County Commissioner
Mark Shull’s path in life has led him toward a variety of pursuits as an Oregon logger, a 25-year military career, home builder/ designer and now Clackamas County Commissioner. This Sam Barlow High graduate served his country in the Iraqi Freedom campaign, and was near the pentagon during the 911 attacks on the complex. And later he got a Bronze Star for valor along the way for his service in Iraq.
Mark was born into a family where his father was in the Navy, his mother a nurse. He says he “was a typical kid who loved camping and swimming.”
Logging with CH-46 Boeing Vertol
Log being raised by helicopter
After graduating from high school he went to work as a choke setter in logging with Columbia Helicopters. Logging work in the wild outdoors was dangerous and physically exhausting. But, Shull took it in stride. He says, “ I learned I could log with the best of them. No one will stand up for you if you don’t stand up for yourself. Loggers are a tough bunch and you must be tough back. I really respected their hard work ethic.”
After saving enough money from logging Mark enrolled at Oregon State University and graduated in 1977. It wasn’t until his senior year that he decided to enroll in USMC Officers Candidate School upon graduation. He was commissioned on August 1977. During his time in the Marines he learned life lessons. He says when a serious situation comes up “ leaders must make timely decisions based on common sense and situational awareness, and that making rash decisions or decisions from an emotional attitude never work out well.”
Of the 25 years, 20 were active duty, with 12 in the US. Marine Corps (USMC) and the rest in the Army on active duty orders. He also served in the National Guard and as a reserve. Upon leaving active duty in the USMC in 1990 Mark became a custom home builder.
As President of Shull Design he helped local residents build their dream homes by specializing in custom residential projects. By the end of the 90s building was slowing down.
R&R while Operations Officer on US training
He re-entered the military in 1998 enlisting in the National Guard. He was recommissioned a Captain in 2000, promoted to Major in 2001 and in August 2007 was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.
Mark was in Washington DC when the attack on the Pentagon happened on 911. Within 30 minutes of the attack on the World Trade Center twin towers (WTC), a hijacked Boeing 757 loaded with 10,000 gallons of fuel crashed into the west side of the Pentagon at 345 mph. All 58 passengers, four flight attendants, and both pilots on board, as well as 125 occupants of the Pentagon, died. He explains what happened that day:
“I was stationed in Washington DC on 9/11. I woke up at 0530 that morning at my apartment in Rosylyn. I immediately was overwhelmed with a feeling of dread and impending doom. That was very unusual for me. I got into my uniform and took the train to the Pentagon, the dreadful feeling stayed with me.
I was scheduled to be in a meeting with the G1 of the Army at 0800. As I approached the security checkpoint prior to entering the Pentagon, I was positive something was dreadfully wrong, but I could not describe what it could be. A few steps before entering the building my cell phone rang and I was called to an office on King Street to deal with and issue that came up. I took the bus to King St, went into the building and was soon told that an aircraft had flown into the WTC. Minutes later I watched on the TV the second aircraft strike the other tower, and then we heard the impact at the Pentagon. Everyone at the meeting with the G1 perished.”
Loading up from Kuwait to Iraq
In 2003 Mark was deployed with Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was stationed at Balad Air Base, north of Bagdad. He was tasked with recruiting Iraqi workers to help with base maintenance.
His firm hand and professionalism was noticed and appreciated. As Brian Goodwin The Dalles Oregon. Former member Oregon Army National Guard said, “ I saw Mark insist on doing what was right, for both the Iraqis he employed, and for our protection. He did not give into corruption, laziness nor cynicism as so many others did. From day one until the end of our tour, Mark was a rock.”
And from John J. Conklin Lieutenant Colonel, Retired United States Army, “Our Commander, a savvy military operator, selected Mark as a leader on the Advance Guard into the combat theater. Mark’s strong, bold leadership style came to the fore. He took assigned missions and met them with dedication and determination. His successes both those as a team leader and as an individual operator were immediately apparent.”
This excellence of performance observed by others was officially recognized when he was awarded the Bronze star for exceptional performance of duty while serving as the Force Protection Officer at Logistics Support Area Anaconda (Balad, Iraq) during the period 2003-2004. .
Sons Matthew and Morgan
Mark has raised two sons, Morgan and Matthew, who are now adults. Enjoyable memories include vacations together to Glacier Park, motorcycle riding, and hard work when together they did all the work from foundation to roofing building an addition on their home”. He says, “I have found being a dad to sons Morgan and Matthew has been the best experience in life.”
When Mark has downtime he is a winemaker. He has been doing this for a number of years. It is a private label and he shares his finished product with friends. He says,” People really enjoy the wines, especially my 2018 Pinot Noir rose.”
Our history has given a number of examples of the American soldiers becoming civilian leaders. George Washington, Andrew Jackson and more recently Dwight Eisenhower, are but a few examples. Many other veterans of military service have answered the call to public service by getting involved in local politics, winning elections, and becoming state, county and city elected officials.
Mark Shull was elected Clackamas County Commissioner in November 2020, assuming office in January 2021. He derives his governing convictions from the US and Oregon Constitutions. He works hard to drive change to improve the quality of life for Clackamas citizens. He says, “I think that my years of military leadership experience, longtime understanding of local issues, educational and professional background make me uniquely qualified to get Clackamas County back on the right track towards a more prosperous future.”
Since being sworn in, Mark has been able to speak directly to the people and past the hostile Commissioners and County heads. He regularly connects with, and hears what the people have to say. He listens. He has become The People’s Commissioner.
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