Executive Deputy Secretary
download high res photo of Marc Ferraro
Mr. Marc Ferraro assumed duties as the Executive Deputy Secretary for the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs on March 12, 2021. He serves as the primary advisor to The Adjutant General on all activities as they relate to the Office of the Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans Affairs, the Office of Administration, the Office of Facilities and Engineering, the Keystone State Challenge Academy, the Public Affairs Office, and the Policy, Planning, and Legislative Affairs Office. Prior to assuming this position, Mr. Ferraro served as the Deputy, Facilities and Engineering, Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veteran Affairs.
Mr. Ferraro spent his career in the United States Army and Pennsylvania Army National Guard as an Active Duty Guardsman. He began his military career in February 1982, enlisting in the United States Army. In 1987 he was commissioned as a Distinguished Military Graduate from the Army ROTC Program at Widener University as a Second Lieutenant in the Military Police Corps.
He has served in a variety of operational and leadership positions in both the Active Army and Pennsylvania National Guard as an Infantry Officer, Military Police Officer, and Cavalry Officer. He has held leadership positions at all levels of command from platoon to Division in both peacetime and during combat operations. He was a platoon leader during combat operations in “Operation Just Cause”, Panama and served as Brigade Commander, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team during “Operation Iraqi Freedom”, Iraq in 2009. He has also served as the G3 (Operations Officer) for the 28th Infantry Division during peace keeping operations in Kosovo. Additionally, he served as the Battalion Commander, 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry Regiment where he deployed the battalion in support of hurricane relief operations in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. COL Ferraro has served as the Chief of Staff for the 28th Infantry and G3, Chief of Staff, and Acting Deputy Adjutant General (Army), Joint Force Headquarters, Pennsylvania National Guard. His final assignment upon retirement from the Army, was as the Assistant Division Commander (Maneuver), 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard.
He is a graduate of the United States Army Drill Sergeant School, Basic Airborne Course, Pathfinder School, Cavalry Leaders Course, Command and General Staff College, and the United States Army War College. He is a qualified Military Police Officer, Infantry Officer, and Armor Officer. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and a Master of Arts Degree in Strategic Studies and Executive Leadership.
Mr. Ferraro’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (OLC), Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (6 OLC), Pennsylvania Distinguished Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (4 OLC), The Global War on Terrorism Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, The Humanitarian Service Medal, NATO Medal (Yugoslavia), Iraqi Freedom Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with silver hourglass, M-Device with numeral 2. His badges include, the Combat Infantryman Badge, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, Pathfinder Badge, and the Basic Parachutist Badge.
He is married to the former Crystal D’Alonzo and they have two sons Stephen and Christopher. They reside in Myerstown, PA.