Joshua Copeland is a highly accomplished cybersecurity executive, military leader, and educator whose career reflects sustained excellence, innovation, and service. Over more than 25 years across military, government, and private sectors, he has earned numerous accolades recognizing both technical expertise and leadership impact. His honors include the 2015 Norris R. Browne Technician of the Year (International), the 2016 Wing General Edwin W. Rawlings Team Award, and multiple Team of the Quarter and SNCO of the Quarter awards—demonstrating consistent high performance in mission-critical environments.
Beyond formal recognition, Joshua has built a reputation as a thought leader in cybersecurity. He is a published author, keynote speaker, and contributor to industry discussions, addressing topics such as security operations, workforce development, and modern cyber threats. As an adjunct professor at Tulane University, he teaches both undergraduate and graduate students, directly shaping the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
Joshua currently serves as Deputy Commander for the Louisiana State Guard Cyber Reserve, where he leads strategic cyber readiness efforts and supports statewide emergency response missions. He also advises organizations, serves on boards, and mentors professionals across the industry. Through these roles, he continues to influence cybersecurity strategy, workforce development, and public-private collaboration.
His combination of recognized excellence, continued service, and broad industry influence makes him an exceptional candidate for the Veteran of the Year® or Vetrepreneur® of the Year Award.
The most meaningful accomplishment of my career has been becoming a professor at Tulane University, where I turn nearly three decades of military, cybersecurity, emergency management, and leadership experience into practical education for the next generation of cyber professionals. Teaching has given me a renewed mission: helping students think critically, lead ethically, and connect theory to real-world security challenges. It has also pushed me to continue growing, leading me to begin my Doctorate in Computer Science with a focus on cybersecurity and information assurance. I am also humbled and proud to have been named SGAUS Officer of the Year and to have been presented with the Order of Thor, both tied to work deeply personal to me: helping to build the Louisiana State Guard Cyber Reserve. Across teaching, research, military service, and cybersecurity leadership, my goal remains the same: build stronger people, teams, and communities.
Joshua Copeland is a cybersecurity professor, educator, author, and practitioner dedicated to developing the next generation of cyber leaders. He teaches cybersecurity at Tulane University, bringing more than two decades of military, government, emergency management, and private-sector experience directly into the classroom. His teaching focuses on making complex topics such as cybersecurity strategy, enterprise infrastructure, AI/ML, resilience, risk, and leadership practical, understandable, and relevant to real-world security challenges. Joshua also serves as Director of Cybersecurity at Crescendo AI and Deputy Commander of the Louisiana State Guard Cyber Reserve, where he connects education, public service, and operational cyber readiness. He is the author of UNPOPULAR OPINION: Burning Down the Bullsh*t to Rebuild Cybersecurity and a published researcher in state IT and cybersecurity strategy. As a Tulane professor, mentor, keynote speaker, and military cyber leader, Joshua is committed to turning experience into education and education into impact.
