Commander Amando Cope is a native of San Diego, California. He graduated from the University of Southern California in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering. He received his commission from the Navy Reserve Officers Training Corps, where he was the Midshipman Battalion Commander. He also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Georgetown University and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Business Administration (emphasis in Management) from The George Washington University.

His research focuses on theory development in management and related fields. His dissertation examined how successful theories are actually built in management research and combined configurational methods with AI-assisted analysis of hundreds of the field’s most influential articles. His broader research interests include how organizations like militaries, emergency responders, and hospitals make good decisions under pressure, and how emerging technologies like AI can be adopted responsibly in organizational contexts.

Commander Cope’s operational assignments include serving aboard USS San Juan (SSN 751) as a division officer, USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) as Submarine Operations Officer on the staff of Destroyer Squadron 21, USS Asheville (SSN 758) as Operations Officer and Navigator, USS Houston (SSN 713) as Combat Systems Officer, and Undersea Rescue Command as Executive Officer. He deployed to the United States Central Command area of responsibility supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn, and other counter-terrorism activities. Ashore he is a “plank owner” at NROTC Unit Rutgers/Princeton. He was also the Executive Director for the Office of Stockpile Management (NA-12) and Deputy Federal Program Manager for Research and Development in the Office of Engineering and Technology Maturation (NA-123), both within the Office of Defense Programs, National Nuclear Security Administration, United States Department of Energy.

Commander Cope is most proud to wear the awards presented to the outstanding teams he has led and served alongside, including the Navy Unit Commendation, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Battle Efficiency “E” Award (two awards). His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and various campaign and service awards.