Leading Executives in Vocational Schools
Jerome Grant
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (UTI)
CEO who led UTI’s multi-division expansion into healthcare (via Concorde) and marked the company’s 60th anniversary by ringing the NYSE Opening Bell on May 19, 2025.
Scott M. Shaw
President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lincoln Educational Services (Lincoln Tech)
Long‑tenured CEO credited with driving strong growth and investor momentum across 22 campuses and multiple skilled‑trades verticals.
Website | Investor/IR | LinkedIn
Mary Kelly
President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), StrataTech Education Group (Tulsa Welding School; The Refrigeration School)
Trades‑education operator’s CEO known for scaling welding/HVAC training capacity and industry partnerships.
Kermit Cook
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Penn Foster Group
Former Cengage Group COO tapped in 2024 to lead one of the largest digital career‑pathway providers, emphasizing learner outcomes at scale.
Eric Bing
Chancellor & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), The College of Health Care Professions (CHCP)
Architect of CHCP’s stackable‑credential model that boosts completion and employment for working‑adult learners in allied health.
Andy Andress
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Pima Medical Institute
Healthcare‑training leader who became CEO in 2022 and is guiding PMI’s multi‑campus growth and ESOP culture.
David A. Pyle
Chief Executive Officer (ACC) & Executive Chairman (WCU), American Career College (and Executive Chairman, West Coast University)
Veteran founder‑operator in healthcare education; built ACC and chairs WCU, known for student‑centric outcomes and philanthropy.
Jeff Conlon
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Unitek Learning (Unitek College, Brookline College, Eagle Gate/Provo College, Unitek EMT)
Appointed CEO in 2025; focuses on ROI‑positive healthcare training—two Unitek campuses ranked #2 and #3 nationally for 10‑year ROI by Georgetown CEW.
Shoukry Tiab
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), International Education Corporation (UEI College, U.S. Colleges, SAGE Truck Driving Schools)
Long‑time IEC exec elevated to CEO, steering post‑secondary career schools through compliance reforms and growth following 2024 settlement conditions.
Kevin Prehn
President, Concorde Career Colleges (division of UTI, Inc.)
Former COO named president in 2023; leading integration and expansion of Concorde’s 17‑campus healthcare network under UTI.
Steve Gold
Founder & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), 160 Driving Academy
Founder‑CEO of the nation’s largest CDL trainer; secured $100M growth financing in 2024 and scaling toward 200 schools.
Cory Albano
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Heavy Equipment Colleges of America (HEC)
CEO leading HEC through Argosy Private Equity’s 2024–2025 investment to expand crane, drilling, and heavy‑equipment operator training.
Dr. Joel A. English
President, Aviation Institute of Maintenance (plus Centura College & Tidewater Tech)
Named president in Feb 2024; longtime EVP now spearheading technician‑pipeline partnerships for airlines and OEMs nationwide.
Franklin K. Schoeneman
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Empire Education Group (Empire Beauty School)
Third‑generation chairman & CEO of America’s largest centrally owned cosmetology‑school network; grooming next‑gen leadership while expanding footprint.
Winn Claybaugh
Dean & Co‑Founder, Paul Mitchell Schools (Paul Mitchell Advanced Education)
Co‑founder and dean who built a 90+ campus beauty/barbering system and a signature FUNraising program surpassing $26M for charities.
Kyle Morris
President, WyoTech
Took the helm as president in Nov 2023 after the school’s dramatic post‑2018 turnaround; continuing capacity growth in auto/diesel tech.
Mark Dreyfus
President, ECPI University
Decades‑long president of a major career‑focused university system across six states and online; prominent voice in workforce policy bodies.
Dan Finuf
President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Education Affiliates (Fortis College/Institute and others)
Career‑education operator’s CEO since 2022, overseeing multi‑state Fortis campuses in healthcare and skilled trades.
Jim (James) Bologa
President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Porter and Chester Institute / YTI Career Institute
Trade‑school CEO and podcast host (Inside Career Technical Training) spotlighting pathways in HVAC, automotive, electrical, and healthcare.
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