Faculty

Mark Bean is a retired Marine Infantry Colonel with extensive operational experience.  As a senior analyst at US Northern Command's Interagency Coordination Directorate, Mark brings the most current homeland security perspectives to his instruction.  Mark is married to Margot Lathan, and has two children -- Bill (29) and Haley (9).  The Bean's live in Colorado Springs.

Gretchen M. S. Bliss has worked in the DOD community for the past 15 years focusing mainly on Russian and Homeland Defense issues across the U.S. and internationally. She received her B.A. from the University of Colorado-Boulder in Russian Language, Literature and Politics. She worked as a translator, interpreter, and area expert for 11 years supporting DOD programs. She obtained her MPA in 2006 from the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs. She has worked for NORAD/USNORTHCOM for the past five years supporting Homeland Defense programs. She lives in Larkspur, Colorado and owns a meadery as well.

Amy Clymer

Richard Hughbank is a Major in the US Army with over 19 years experience in the Military Police Corps and is a certified Special Reaction Team leader, master antiterrorism specialist and instructor, and physical security officer.  He’s currently assigned to the US Air Force Academy and chairs the Terrorism Studies and Standards Committee for the Anti-Terrorism Accreditation Board.  Richard has deployed to operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom in support of the war on terror, and has been published in various books and magazines on the topics of law enforcement, security, and terrorism.

Dave Mitchell is a veteran of the Navy's Underwater Demolition and SEAL Teams, and brings 31 years of practical operational and instructional experience to the classroom. He has served as the primary Anti-Terrorism Instructor for Fleet Training Center, San Diego and recently retired as the Anti-Terrorism Security Specialist for Commander, Naval Air Forces. Dave was also an Adjunct Instructor for the Homeland Security Program for Texas A&M University teaching "Threat and Risk Assessment for Weapons of Mass Destruction". He will also be instructing the "Senior Officials Workshop" for Texas A&M in the near future.

Rebecca Rouse has served as a U.S. Army Military Police officer for more than 21 years.  Her present duties place her in the Commander's Action Group in North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command, where she serves as a Special Assistant to the Commander.  She has a Master's degree in Political Science from Syracuse University, where she also received a Certificate in Conflict Resolution.  Her teaching experience includes university-level graduate and undergraduate courses in homeland defense and American politics core subjects and electives.

Joe Ruffini is a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, business entrepreneur, and expert in the fields of information operations, strategic communications, corporate security, terrorism, counterinsurgency and homeland security issues.  He presents nationally on a wide range of topics to include terror understanding, preparedness and prevention, strategic communications, and school and community safety responsibilities. Joe's first book - When Terror Comes to Main Street: A Citizens' Guide to Terror Awareness, Preparedness, and Prevention was published in May of 2006. He founded JPR & Associates, LLC, in Colorado Springs. 

Chris Thornlow