Joe Varner
: Senior Fellow
Expert Overview
Professor Joseph Varner is a thought leader and practitioner in the fields of intelligence, international security, and geostrategy as a trusted advisor to the highest levels of the Canadian government and is currently Deputy Director of the Conference of Defence Associations.
Joe Varner has a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in International Relations and a Master of Arts Degree in Political Science from Acadia University. Joe has also undertaken Doctoral-level studies in Strategic Security at American National University. He has certificates in Emergency Program Management, Hazardous Materials, Disaster Recovery, and Counterterrorism from the Federal Emergency Management Institute in Maryland and a Certificate in Security Supervision from the International Foundation of Protection Officers. He also has certificates from Stanford University on The Threat of Nuclear Terrorism, Living at the Nuclear Brink, and Terrorism and Counterterrorism from Georgetown University.
As a reserve infantry officer, Varner served as a Platoon Commander, Company Second-in-Command, Intelligence Officer and Adjutant with the West Nova Scotia Regiment and Commanding Officer of 2444 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps. Professor Varner has been awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Service Medal of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, two Canadian Forces Command Commendations, a Chancellor and Provincial Chair’s Commendation of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, and the Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service. Mr. Varner is the past Chair of the Federal District of St. John Ambulance and a Knight of Grace of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem.
