Introduction to Professor

I came to teaching as a learner in professional studies. In 1986, I was working on a business degree at National University and was assigned to write case studies for my work in a course. My teachers liked that work so well, they invited me to teach as an adjunct instructor. Then, in 1998 I joined National as a full-time faculty member. Since then I have taught more than 260 courses in various areas of finance and economics. I really enjoy working with adult learners and I have learned a lot from them. I am also working as a financial consultant, and as such, I provide variety of financial services to my clients. Most of them are from small businesses that are interested in expanding, restructuring, fundraising or going international.

Career Background

I always thought I would have a career in finance. I was born and raised in Tehran, Iran, I completed my undergraduate study there as well as a term in the military. My first job was at Arya Insurance Company. By the time I left in 1975, to start my own business, I had become the general manager in charge of the Claim department. In less than four years my Brokerage Firm ranked among the top ten Insurance Brokerage Firms in the nation. At about the same time I started another business (import-export). I opened an office in Hong Kong and got involved in international financial markets and began buying and selling various currencies (arbitrage) plus speculating in the gold and silver markets. Being involved in international business provided me with a great opportunity to travel abroad. During 1977 and 1978, I visited most of the European countries, spending a significant amount of time in Germany and France to study their financial markets.

Personal Life

After the political upheaval in Iran in 1979, I left for Hong Kong and, in 1982, my wife and I immigrated to the United States. We settled in San Diego, where I established an international financial consultancy. At that time, my clients were mostly from the Middle East, more specifically individuals from Iran that were interested in investing in the United States or in the Far East. While working as a financial consultant, I pursued my education and received an MBA in finance and an MS in Management from National University, as well as a DBA in finance from United States International University. Thus, my rewarding work as a professor began -- and continues.

Playing chess, writing, and reading are some of my current interests.