David Sumner has almost 20 years of service with the United States Government in positions related to the National Security and Homeland Security. Sumner has held appointments as a Federal Investigator and a Federal Inspector, and has completed special assignments as a Federal Personnel Security Analyst in the Nuclear Weapons Complex and as a Federal Election Observer for the Justice Department. Since 1996, Sumner has been a regional supervisor of Federal security inspections and complex administrative investigations at nuclear and scientific facilities in the Eastern United States. He has led inquiries at the request of the United States Congress, including the Senate Armed Services Committee, and has been profiled by Inside Homeland Security.

Sumner holds numerous international educational and professional credentials related to security. He earned a Master of Science degree, with Distinction, in Security and Risk Management at the Scarman Centre for the Study of Public Order (now Department of Criminology) at the University of Leicester in Leicester, England. Sumner earned his Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice at Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia. Additionally, he is an alumnus of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's Western Management Development Center in Aurora, Colorado. Sumner is an elected Fellow of the International Institute of Security (FIISec) in Devon, England. He is also an elected Diplomate of the American Board for Certification in Homeland Security (DABCHS), and holds advanced certification, Level V, in Homeland Security (CHS-V). Sumner earned the designation of Certified Professional Environmental Auditor (CPEA), with a specialty endorsement in Health and Safety, from the Board of Environmental Auditor Certifications (BEAC).

Further, Sumner is Board Certified in Security Management, having earned the Certified Protection Professional (CPP) certification, from the Professional Certification Board of ASIS International. Sumner also holds the Certified Security Supervisor (CSS) designation from the International Foundation for Protection Officers. He is an active member and past Chairman of the Smoky Mountain Chapter of ASIS International (formerly American Society for Industrial Security) in Knoxville, TN. <> Sumner has received numerous commendations, honors, and awards from the United States Government. He is a four time winner of the prestigious Award for Excellence from the President of the United States' Council on Integrity and Efficiency. Sumner is also committed to his community, and has been honored with four Secretary of Energy Community Service Awards. He has been an advisor to the Security Engineering and Administration Technology (SEAT) Program at Pellissippi State since its inception. He currently is involved with course development, teaches investigative techniques, and serves on the SEAT Advisory Council. Back to faculty page