Image 1 / 2
Pearson
The event was held at the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club. UTC Alumni Board President Mike Purcell served as emcee, and UTC Chancellor Roger Brown presented the award to the honoree.
The Distinguished Alumnus Award was established in 1969 by the UTC Alumni Association to recognize alumni who have made significant contributions to the community and society, and whose accomplishments and career activities have reflected glory on the university.
Pearson, who received his associates degree in law enforcement from Cleveland State Community College in 1974, is a 1977 alumnus from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He is currently the director of Tennessee Operations for Radiance Technologies, a defense contractor headquartered in Huntsville, Ala..
Radiance develops and evaluates technologies for the United States Department of Defense and determines prospective applications to the Department of Homeland Security along with other federal, state and local law enforcement. In his capacity as director, Pearson establishes relationships with state-supported universities seeking to explore potential joint research and development opportunities. He also serves as liaison with the Tennessee Delegation of the U.S. Congress to obtain Federal funding for research projects and the purchase of technologies.
Before joining Radiance Technologies, Pearson retired from the United States Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security. He first served as a special agent at the Nashville, Knoxville, and Washington DC Field Offices. Responsible for every phase of counterfeit currency and financial crimes investigations including undercover operations, multi-jurisdictional investigations, development and use of informants, execution of search warrants and making arrests.
Additional investigative responsibilities included the investigation of protective intelligence cases involving threats against the president and vice president of the United States along with other protectees of the Secret Service.
Pearson was permanently assigned twice to the Vice Presidential Protective Division, in Washington D.C. for Bush and Quayle during the years of 1988-1991, and in Carthage for V.P. Al Gore from 1997-2001.
During his time with the Secret Service, he served on protective details (permanent and temporary) for every president and vice president since 1984 beginning with President Reagan’s second term and this includes Former Presidents Ford and Carter.
Pearson has traveled to over 25 foreign countries and 45 States during his career with the Secret Service and has provided protection for presidential & vice presidential candidates including Walter Mondale, Geraldine Ferraro, and Bill Clinton.
Among others who have been entrusted to his care are General Secretary Gorbashov, Pope John Paul II, the Queen of England, the King and Queen of Spain, the King and Queen of Jordan, the King of Sweden and the Prince of Monaco.
In his letter of recommendation for this award, former Vice President Al Gore stated “Mike is an honorable man who distinguished himself in every assignment he undertook on my behalf. He is smart, down to earth, personable, and a true law enforcement professional in every regard.”
Pearson and his wife Liz are the proud parents of Natalie, Jerry Michael, Jr., and Danielle, and have three grandchildren. Also honored at this event was Gordon L. Davenport Jr., who received the university’s 2010 Outstanding Service Award.
