BUS 498 Spring 2026 Program

The case competition is a major component of BUS 498, Capstone Course:  Advanced Business Models. This capstone course is an advanced integrated exploration of business models and industry dynamics. Students integrate the strategic management concepts including: the strategy process, the role of top management, resources and capabilities, industry and competitor analysis, competitive scope, strategy implementation, and innovation and growth. 

Sixteen teams participated in the first round of the college-wide competition. Panels of community business professionals judged these student presentations. The top three teams have been selected to participate in the virtual final round.
 

Spring 2026 Event Details

• Friday, April 24, 2026
• 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
• Virtual Final Round
• Assigned Case for this semester: DO & CO: Crafting Luxury in the Fast Lane (A)
   

Faculty Biographies

Clement Chen is an adjunct professor of management at the College of Business. Chen received his MBA from the College of William and Mary and a BS in Applied Science from the U.S. Naval Academy. He is a former executive with Lockheed Martin and Leidos and is the recently retired CEO of DSFederal, an AI and data science company.

Michael J. DeMarco is an adjunct professor of management at the Costello College of Business. He received his MBA in Finance from Columbia Business School, a BBA in Economics from Temple University, and a BA in Political Science from Penn State University. He is the principal consultant at Municipal Insights LLC, President of Spotlight on the Arts, a former Fairfax City Council member, and an entrepreneur. 

J. Scott Frampton, PhD is an adjunct professor of management at the Costello College of Business. Dr. Frampton received his doctorate in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University, MBA from Boston University, MS from the Naval Postgraduate School, MS from The Eisenhower School, and BS from Texas A&M University. He works full-time as a professor at the National Defense University. He is retired from the U.S. Marine Corps and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Roderick C. French, PhD is an adjunct professor of management at the College of Business. French received his doctorate in management from Walden University, MBA from Webster University and BS from Campbell University. He is retired from the U.S. Marine Corps and the Federal Government.

Insiya Hussain, PhD is an assistant professor of Management at the Costello College of Business. Before joining George Mason, Professor Hussain served as a professor at the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to her academic career, Professor Hussain worked at J.P. Morgan’s investment bank and as a Project Manager at technology companies. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Columbia University, and her Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from the University of Maryland.

Claus W. Langfred, PhD is an associate professor of management at the College of Business, and also serves as the chair of the management area. Langfred received his doctorate in Organization Behavior from Northwestern University, MS from Northwestern University, and BSBA from Washington University.

Avinash Mainkar, PhD is an associate professor of management at the College of Business and also serves as BUS 498 coordinator for 2024-25. Mainkar received his PhD in management from the University of Connecticut, MBA from Tulane University, and BTech from Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.

Stephanie Song, PhD is an assistant professor of Management at the Costello College of Business at George Mason University. Song received her doctorate in Business Administration from Penn State University, MBA from Yale University, and undergraduate degrees with double majors in Economics and International Relations from Peking University. She has worked at PwC and the United Nations. She teaches strategy and entrepreneurship.

Student Participants
 

First Round Judges

(*denotes past judge participation)
 

Final Round Judges

(*denotes past judge participation)
 

Thanks to all student teams and judges!