Christopher Grollnek
Christopher Grollnek is a globally recognized expert in active shooter prevention, public safety, and strategic leadership, with over 35 years of experience spanning law enforcement, the military, and executive leadership. As Vice President of Public Safety & Emerging Technologies at DATAMARK Technologies, he leads the development of advanced indoor mapping solutions that help schools and communities strengthen emergency response and situational awareness.
He established this business unit from the ground up—overseeing strategy, staffing, and implementation across multiple regions. Christopher previously founded the Active Shooter Prevention Project (ASPP), transforming it from a startup into a nationally recognized initiative with 130 partnerships and 25 acquisitions. Under his leadership, ASPP helped shift the national focus from reactive response to proactive prevention, influencing policy and practice across education and public safety sectors. He now serves as Chairman, guiding a leadership team with over 750 years of combined counterterrorism and security experience.
Before entering the corporate world, Christopher served as a police detective and SWAT operator in Texas, managing elite teams, leading high-risk operations, and collaborating with federal agencies. He also served 14 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, gaining expertise in global security, threat assessment, and strategic operations. His background in crisis management and training has made him a trusted advisor to school districts, helping leaders strengthen safety protocols and implement prevention-first strategies. Christopher holds a Master of Science in Administration of Justice & Security and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management & Leadership Studies. He is also a Certified Master Interview and Interrogation Specialist and a graduate of Koch Industries’ School of Market-Based Management. As a respected thought leader, he has made over 1,000 television appearances and regularly provides expert commentary on Fox, CNN, MSNBC, and BBC. His insights continue to shape the national dialogue on school safety, emphasizing preparedness, prevention, and collaboration to protect students and staff.
