The University\u2019s newest Distinguished Alumnus wanted to become a police officer when he was a boy.\u00a0 \u00a0J. Michael Pearson achieved his dream and much more. \u00a0In the Secret Service, he protected the Queen of England, Pope John Paul, and President George H. W. Bush and his work took him to 26 foreign countries.\u00a0 Today, there are greater demands for his skills–he oversees the development of new technologies for Homeland Security.<\/p>\n
A Chattanooga Police Officer<\/strong><\/p>\n When Pearson became one of the first Chattanooga policemen to complete his undergraduate degree in criminal justice at UTC, his mentor Dr. Ken Venters, encouraged him to pursue the newly created Master of Science Degree in criminal justice, with a concentration in education<\/p>\n Having degrees from UTC provided a \u201chuge difference in my career.\u00a0 I could not have applied for the Secret Service without a four-year degree,\u201d Pearson said.<\/p>\n In the<\/em> Line of Fire<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Pearson\u2019s field office work on the investigative side included protection and intelligence.\u00a0 A 30-day rotation for travel meant Pearson could be picked up to protect the president, foreign dignitaries, heads of state, or candidates.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen Pope John Paul visited New York, it was like a presidential visit. He said Mass at Giants Stadium, it drew a huge crowd.\u00a0 During an event like that, even a place like New York comes to a standstill.\u00a0 When Queen Elizabeth came, she had a private visit to Lexington, Kentucky.\u00a0 Her visit was a lot easier for security,\u201d Pearson said.<\/p>\n Pearson protected Al Gore and his family and family home in Carthage, Tennessee.<\/p>\n In a letter of support for Pearson\u2019s nomination as UTC Distinguished Alumnus, the former vice president described Pearson as \u201can honorable man who distinguished himself in every assignment he undertook on my behalf.\u00a0 He is smart, down to earth, personable, and a true law enforcement professional in every regard.\u00a0 He was more than just an agent on my protective detail; Mike became a great friend and I immensely enjoyed my time with him.\u201d<\/p>\n National defense with technology<\/strong><\/p>\n Pearson served as Supervisory Special Agent to the Chicago Field Office, where he established the Chicago Electronic Crimes Task Force.\u00a0 Criminal cyber activity came under the scrutiny of this partnership of law enforcement agencies, academic and financial institutions, and prosecutors.<\/p>\n When he retired, Pearson was Resident Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Office in Jackson, Mississippi, responsible for liaison with all levels of law enforcement in the state of Mississippi.<\/p>\n Today, Pearson is Director of Tennessee Operations in Chattanooga for Radiance Technologies, a defense contractor that works closely with Homeland Security.\u00a0 His Chattanooga office works directly with the SimCenter: National Center for Computational Engineering to procure Congressional funding, grants, small business initiatives and other means to develop new technologies, primarily for the United States Department of Defense as well as for commercial use.<\/p>\n