Mr. Nelson’s career includes leadership of several of the largest education companies in the US. He served as Chief Executive Officer and a director of Education Management Corporation, where he ultimately served as Chairman of the Board. Prior to his service at Education Management Corporation, Mr. Nelson held several roles of increasing responsibility at the University of Phoenix and Apollo Group Inc. (now known as Apollo Education Group, Inc.), including serving as the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Apollo. While under his leadership, both companies experienced enrollment and financial growth, development and implementation of new programs and acquisitions of additional schools and programs.

Mr. Nelson received his B.S. degree from Brigham Young University and his M.B.A. from the University of Nevada.

Mr. Ayers has significant compliance and transactional experience, having practiced law for more than 20 years in law firms and corporations. Prior to joining Perdoceo Education, he was Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for NovaStar Financial. Prior to joining NovaStar, Mr. Ayers was Vice President and Associate General Counsel at GE Insurance Solutions.

Mr. Ayers received his B.S. degree from Graceland University, summa cum laude, and earned his J.D. with high distinction and M.B.A. from the University of Iowa.

Prior to joining Perdoceo Education, Mr. Czeszewski was Vice President of Product Development for Commerx, Inc., a provider and operator of eBusiness networks enabling companies and their trading companies to rapidly optimize supply chains. He has worked in the technology field since 1986, serving in the consumer electronics, financial services, software product development, and postsecondary education industries..

Mr. Czeszewski completed his bachelor’s degree at Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Ill., and his M.B.A. at Dominican University in River Forest, Ill.

Prior to his Vice Chancellor position at South University, Mr. Hurst served as Vice President of Academic Operations for EDMC’s Online Higher Education division, supporting all of EDMC’s online programs offered by Argosy University, South University and the Art Institutes. In addition, he served as Chair of EDMC’s Education Innovation Council, leading the development and implementation of several key strategic initiatives, including EDMC’s “classroom of the future,” its mobile app platform and Argosy University’s competency-based program. Mr. Hurst first joined EDMC in 2004 as Vice President of Online for South University, responsible for implementation, development and growth of the university’s online programs. He later served in a similar role for Argosy University.

Mr. Hurst began his higher education career in the early 80s and held a variety of cross-functional leadership roles within his family’s educational business. His company developed and supported distance education programs for traditional not-for-profit universities, such as Saint Joseph’s College, Upper Iowa University and Indiana Institute of Technology, as well as founded Virginia College in 1983. In 1988, Mr. Hurst was instrumental in the development and management of the first directed independent study RN to BSN program in the nation. This innovative, distance education program was developed with Graceland University and later expanded to include MSN and RN to MSN programs. Mr. Hurst is a graduate of the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia.

Prior to his service at Nelnet, Mr. Kline held several roles of increasing responsibility at the University of Phoenix and Apollo Group Inc. (now known as Apollo Education Group, Inc.), including serving as the Chief Administrative Officer of Apollo. While under Mr. Kline’s guidance, these businesses were able to improve the quality of student outcomes by increasing student success rates while lowering student debt levels.

Mr. Kline received a B.S. degree from Arizona State University.