Kambiz "Kamy" Akhavan has served as Managing Editor of ProCon.org since December 2004. Some of his educational, professional, and personal highlights are detailed below.

1. Educational

• Earned a Master’s degree from UCLA in 1998 with summa cum laude distinctions for study in European History.

• Graduated magna cum laude from UCLA in 1994 with a B.A. in Modern Intellectual History of Europe and College Honor’s distinctions. Became a member of the Golden Key Honor Society and was awarded a lifetime membership in Phi Beta Kappa for academic achievement.

• Has taken non-degree courses in journalism, nonprofit management, and fundraising (UCLA) as well as political science and speech (Stanford University).

2. Professional

• Worked as a writer, researcher, proofreader, and image licensor for an educational multimedia company.

• Received seven publication credits for the Authorworks high school textbooks and CD-ROMs which were created in conjunction with the Library of Congress and Scott Foresman publishers.

• Received three publication credits for work on an educational map project with Rand McNally.

• Worked in the L.A. film industry for several years in the acquisition, distribution, and marketing of foreign language and American independent films. Some of his releases included My Favorite Season (France; starring Catherine Deneuve and Daniel Auteuil), Blue Juice (U.K.; featuring Catherine Zeta Jones), God Is My Witness (Bollywood hit starring Amitabh Bachham and Sridevi), and The Stranger (India; directed by legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray) among others.

• Served as Chief Editor of the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Clearinghouse on Entrepreneurship Education (CELCEE) for over three years.

• Coordinated marketing campaigns and newsletter production/distribution for dozens of internet casinos.

• Worked in management at a high volume industrial supply company in Southern California.

• Published articles on diverse topics including “Marinol vs. Marijuana: Politics, Science, and Popular Culture,” “Business Ethics,” and various cultural events and attractions in Los Angeles.

3. Personal

• Kamy was born in Iran, grew up in Southern Louisiana, and has lived in California for nearly 20 years.

• Kamy is proficient in the English, French, and Persian (Farsi) languages. He has basic familiarity with German and Spanish.