Mahssan "Bear" Afkhami

Bear Afkhami is a multifaceted professional with extensive education, training, and experience across four key sectors: critical infrastructure & emergency management, entrepreneurship & management, foreign policy & intelligence, and the national airspace system & advanced air mobility (AAM). With over 18 years of leadership experience and 12 years as a first responder and emergency manager, Bear brings a wealth of knowledge to his role as an Adjunct Professor at Capitol Technology University.

In the realm of Critical Infrastructure & Emergency Management, Bear has 12 years of expertise in prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery. He holds numerous credentials, including Master Level Military Emergency Management Specialist (MEMS) and FEMA Professional Continuity Practitioner (PCP). Bear is a frequent speaker at state and national emergency management conferences and has published extensively in professional journals.

In Entrepreneurship & Management, Bear has over 11 years of experience supporting small to mid-sized businesses with human resources, finance, analytics, marketing, and growth strategies. His leadership has resulted in significant achievements, and he is the author of “The Startup King,” a comprehensive guide for entrepreneurs. Bear also lectures for economic development councils.

Bear's background in Foreign Policy & Intelligence is marked by his degree in Intelligence Studies and his contributions as a lecturer and author on topics such as the impact of COVID-19 on global foreign policy and domestic extremist groups. He has organized and moderated panels and delivered numerous lectures on pressing global issues.

In the field of Unmanned Aircraft Systems & Advanced Air Mobility, Bear is an FAA-certified Remote Pilot Airman and an active participant in advanced air mobility and UAS/UAV standard-setting bodies. His research on the impact of UAS and UAM on emergency services has been published and presented at various conferences. Bear contributes to the safe integration of uncrewed vehicles into critical infrastructure sectors.

Areas of Expertise:

• Critical Infrastructure & Emergency Management
• Entrepreneurship & Business Management
• Foreign Policy & Intelligence
• Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) & Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)

Biography:

Education:

• MS in Applied Analytics, American Military University
• BA in Intelligence Studies, American Military University

Professional Experience:

• Adjunct Professor of Unmanned & Autonomous Systems, Capitol Technology University
• Director, various emergency management and business development roles
• Deputy Director, Drone Responders Public Safety Alliance
• Commissioner, Prince George’s County Commission on Fathers, Men, and Boys
• Board Member, Maryland Department of Health’s Board of Dietetic Practice

Affiliations:

• Association of Climate Change Professionals (CC-P® Board)
• InfraGard Maryland Members Alliance (Board Member | Treasurer | Fundraising Chair)