Sean M. Frisbee

Sean is a retired United States Air Force officer, entrepreneur, defense industry expert, and oil industry executive. He is the founder or co-founder of two Defense companies and currently serves at West Virginia University as the Vice President of Alumni Relations. Prior to this, Sean was the President of IES Global, Inc., which is the home of the world’s fastest high-shock, high pressure, and high temperature data recorders used miles beneath the earth in oil wells and during weapons penetration testing.

During his 22-year career in the U.S. Air Force, Sean served in a variety of joint, operational, acquisition and staff positions. He led propulsion programs, foreign threat analysis, aircraft maintenance organizations, and numerous aircraft, missile and bomb acquisition programs. He served in Operations DELIBERATE GUARD, DECISIVE EDGE, NORTHERN WATCH, and IRAQI FREEDOM, including a one-year tour in Baghdad, Iraq where he was responsible for developing and executing the strategy for rebuilding the Iraqi Air Force. He concluded his Air Force career as the F-22 Program Director, responsible for all aspects of the design, production, deployment, modernization, and sustainment of the $66B F-22 stealth fighter weapon system.

Sean holds a bachelor degree in Aerospace Engineering from West Virginia University and master degrees from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and Air University. He is a graduate of the Air Force's prestigious School of Advanced Air and Space Studies and former National Defense Fellow. He is an elected member of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Academy of Distinguished Alumni at West Virginia University.

Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Sean Frisbee is an entrepreneur and expert in the national defense industry. A seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience leading Air Force organizations, small-business defense industry companies, and a not-for-profit corporation, Sean leverages his knowledge and network to drive innovative national security solutions. As founder and president of Vertx Partners, Sean spearheads efforts focused on interdisciplinary collaboration and economic recovery in the Mountain State and across Appalachia. Fundamental to Sean’s strategy is connecting unconventional and distinct entities to fuel innovative national security efforts. Sean previously served as eighth President & CEO of the 147-year-old West Virginia University Alumni Association, a not-for-profit corporation serving over 220,000 graduates of West Virginia University. During his Air Force career, he led cutting edge acquisition programs such as the $66B F-22 stealth fighter weapon system program as well as serving in multiple operations including his leading role in rebuilding the Iraqi Air Force as part of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Additionally, Sean held successive executive positions as the Vice-President of AME Unmanned Air Systems, Inc., Chairman of Leucadia Engineering, LLC, and President of IES Global, Inc. Sean holds a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from West Virginia University, a master’s degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and two master’s degrees from Air University. He is a graduate of the Air Force's prestigious School of Advanced Air and Space Studies and a former National Defense Fellow. Lastly, he is an elected member of the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Academy of Distinguished Alumni at West Virginia University.