Marcus R. Anderson began his law enforcement career over 30 years ago, initially as a uniformed patrol officer with the Huntsville, Alabama Police Department. He subsequently joined the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in 1998, where he served as a Federal Agent. During his tenure with the DEA, Marcus undertook a wide range of both domestic and foreign assignments across various regions, including the Latin America and Caribbean Special Operation’s Division, Belize, Ohio, Alabama, Louisiana, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Florida, and Kentucky. Notably, in recognition of his contributions to Kentucky, he was commissioned as an Honorary Colonel with the Kentucky State Police.

Throughout his career, Marcus held several significant roles within the DEA, including serving as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Special Operations Division. In this capacity, he supervised the largest multi-agency unit in the United States Government dedicated to combatting the world’s most prominent criminal organizations, operating across Mexico, Central America, Canada, and the United States. Later, Marcus assumed the responsibilities of Chief of Staff and Executive Officer for DEA’s Chief of Global Operations, who has operational oversight for all of DEA’s 239 domestic offices and 89 foreign offices. Marcus culminated his career with the DEA when he retired in July 2023, having held the position of Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the DEA Miami Division’s Orlando District Office, serving a population of over 4 million in Central Florida.

Marcus has been certified by the DEA in all aspects of clandestine laboratory manufacturing, along with Department of Defense training in weapons of mass destruction. Marcus is a subject matter expert regarding fentanyl and other synthetic drugs, and is an accredited United States Government Instructor, having delivered subject matter briefings to law enforcement and governmental leaders worldwide, particularly on topics related to drug trends such as fentanyl and other dangerous synthetic substances.

In terms of education, Marcus holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Athens State University, a Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice from the University of Virginia, and a master’s degree in public safety, also from the University of Virginia. He recently graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy, Session 282.

Currently, Marcus is deeply honored to serve the people of Virginia in his role as Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, where he also serves as a special advisor to Governor Youngkin on opioid interdiction and related responses to the fentanyl epidemic. His primary focus is to establish a robust platform that fosters collaborative partnerships and, ultimately, enhances public safety within the communities he serves.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Marcus finds joy in spending quality time with his wife, three children, and their beloved five-pound Yorkie, along with cherished family and friends.

Sonny Daniels, a native of Bedford County, Virginia, has over 20 years of proven leadership in public safety, strategic operations, and security. Appointed as Assistant Secretary at the start of the administration in 2022, he later became Deputy Secretary and now serves as Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary for the Office of Public Safety & Homeland Security, providing strategic direction and operational oversight for multiple state public safety agencies.

Mr. Daniels began his public safety career as an Emergency Medical Technician and Firefighter, rising to the rank of Lieutenant with the Bedford Fire Department. He later served five years as a Communications Officer at the county’s 911 center, honing his expertise in emergency response coordination. His law enforcement tenure with the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office spanned more than a decade, culminating as Lieutenant of Field Operations, where he managed specialized units including K9, Narcotics Interdiction, Field Platoons, and Animal Control. His distinguished service earned him a Lifesaving Award and commendation for his integral role in a multi-state federal MS-13 homicide investigation.

In addition to his state leadership responsibilities, Mr. Daniels is the founder and principal of an executive protection firm and serves as a Reserve Deputy with the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office. He possesses extensive experience in risk mitigation and the planning and execution of high-profile protective operations across the United States and internationally.

Mr. Daniels holds multiple leadership and management certifications and is currently a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management. His career reflects a consistent record of operational excellence, strategic vision, and an unwavering commitment to public safety.

Holly A. Cline received her B.A. in Communications from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and her J.D. from the University of Tennessee College of Law. She began her career in public service as a law clerk for the 30th Judicial Circuit and later for Justice (ret.) Elizabeth A. McClanahan on the Supreme Court of Virginia.

In 2019, she joined Appalachian School of Law (ASL) as Dean of Admissions, where she also served as a Legal Writing Fellow, helping prepare future attorneys with essential skills in legal research and writing. Ms. Cline went on to serve the Commonwealth as an Assistant Attorney General in the Office of the Attorney General of Virginia.

In 2024, she joined the Virginia Department of Corrections, where she first served as Counselor to the Director and was later promoted to Chief of Staff. In that role, she supports the agency’s mission of enhancing public safety, strengthening reentry efforts, and ensuring the safe and effective operation of correctional facilities across Virginia.

Kendrick “Todd” Brewster, a native of Tazewell County, Virginia, began his public safety career in 1992 as a volunteer with the Town of Tazewell Fire Department. After moving to Montgomery County to attend Radford University, Todd joined the Blacksburg Fire Department as a volunteer and a few years later with the Christiansburg Fire Department. Todd was hired as a part-time Communications Officer with the Blacksburg Police Department in 1997. From there he moved into a fulltime position and was eventually hired as a Police Officer with the Blacksburg Police Department in 1999.

Todd continued serving the citizens of Blacksburg and surrounding areas in many different roles as a sworn officer while at the police department. Todd promoted up through the ranks of the department and was eventually named Chief of Police in July 2022, serving in that capacity for 3 years until his retirement in 2025. During Todd’s time at the Blacksburg Police Department, he was awarded several awards to include the Virginia Chief’s of Police Lifesaving Award and received the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Award two times.

While Chief of Police for the Town of Blacksburg, Todd served as the Vice President of the Blue Ridge Association of Chiefs of Police and was an Executive Board Member of Cardinal Criminal Justice Academy. In 2023, Governor Glenn Youngkin appointed Todd to the 9-1-1 Serices Board and Chair of the PSAP Grant Committee.

Todd holds an Associate Degree in Environmental Technology from Southwest Virginia Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Radford University, and a Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice from the University of Virginia. He is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) National Academy, Session 282.

Todd is deeply honored to serve the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia as the Special Assistant to the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, being assigned primarily to the western and southwest areas of Virginia.