Mr. Nicholas M. Schnare is the Director for Security at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Headquartered in the Herbert C. Hoover Building in Washington D.C., Mr. Schnare is responsible for a nationwide, multi-disciplined security program, which includes: personnel security, physical security, law enforcement, information security, continuity and emergency management, and anti-terrorism. 

Prior to this role, he served as Assistant Director of the Department of Commerce’s Security and Emergency Management Division, where he was responsible for the Department’s Continuity of Operations Programs and Emergency Operations Center.  Additionally, he was responsible for the overall Physical Security, Security Operations and Occupant Emergency Program of the Department’s Headquarters.

Mr. Schnare has 25 years of leadership and operational, physical and technical security; emergency management; and law enforcement experiences.  He previously held positions at the Smithsonian Institution, Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Missile Defense Agency.  He is a veteran of the United States Army, having served 7 years in the Military Police Corp providing law and order to military communities as well as providing Combat Mission Support while deployed. 

Mr. Schnare is an Eagle Scout and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and has completed a wide range of other coursework in security, emergency management, federal budgeting, project management and contract administration.  He is a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute’s Leadership for a Democratic Society Program, American University Key Executive Leadership Program, and the Senior Executive Service (SES) Candidate Development Program.  He has received two Department of Commerce Bronze Awards, as well as a Silver Award for various major accomplishments while at the Department of Commerce.        

Mr. Schnare is married to Carolyn Schnare and has two children.