ABOUT MARK SKOGLUND
Mark Skoglund is a nationally recognized leader in the concealed carry (CCW) space, known for building one of the most efficient and effective CCW units in California. With a career defined by operational excellence, public safety advocacy, and strategic innovation, Mark brings unmatched experience in program management, law enforcement collaboration, and large-scale training implementation.
Before entering law enforcement, Mark served 8 years in the United States Marine Corps, including active duty during Operation Desert Shield. During his military tenure, he was responsible for the daily operations and training of over 800 Marines and fellow service members—an experience that instilled in him a relentless commitment to discipline, leadership, and mission readiness that continues to inform his work today.
As the former CCW Coordinator for the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Mark was entrusted with full oversight of Sheriff Chad Bianco’s high-profile CCW program—one of the most robust in California—and was honored with the Medal of Merit in recognition of his exceptional leadership and results. The unit operated with 8 full-time and 15 part-time employees, maintained an annual budget exceeding $2.2 million, and generated more than $1.3 million in revenue. Mark’s data-driven approach to streamlining processes transformed the agency’s capabilities. Through critical analysis and system optimization, he reduced application processing times from approximately 14 months to just 4 weeks, all while significantly increasing permit issuance and improving public satisfaction.
Key Achievements Under Mark’s Leadership:
-
Founded the Southern California CCW Symposium
-
Founding member of the California Council for CCW whose purpose is to standardize the CCW application process.
-
Contracted with over 60 private training vendors to ensure consistent, relevant, low-cost, and safety-driven CCW instruction for Riverside County residents.
-
Standardized private vendor CCW training—a first in California—raising training accountability and effectiveness across the board.
-
Founded the California CCW Consortium, bringing together 32 law enforcement agencies to exchange ideas, legal insights, and operational strategies.
-
Coordinated and hosted five statewide CCW symposiums, fostering collaboration among California law enforcement leaders.
-
Launched the first POST-approved Firearms Instructor Course for private CCW vendors in the state.
Mark’s forward-thinking leadership has earned the endorsement of Sheriff Chad Bianco and his Administration, as well as a broad network of law enforcement agencies and CCW vendors, all of whom recognize his role in setting a higher standard for CCW program administration.
By combining military precision, public-sector innovation, and a deep commitment to community safety, Mark Skoglund continues to drive real change in how agencies deliver timely, compliant, and high-quality concealed carry services.