Management Team
Barbara Dreyer, President and CEO
Ms. Dreyer was one of the co-founders of Connections Academy and has been leading the company since January of 2002. She has served in the senior management of a variety of technology companies that provided educational applications using web-based software and telecommunications including Speakout.com and CSTI. Most recently, she served as chief operating officer and co-founder of Ntercept Communications, an online market research company that also operated a site for political issues and was one of the top 500 web sites during 2000. Ms. Dreyer has held senior management positions in start-ups that were sold to Motorola, MailWell, Union Carbide and Agency.com. She was a Partner with New Enterprise Associates, one of the nation's premier venture capital firms. She has taught at the university level and has been active in the development of distance learning technologies. She is an emeritus member of the Board of Visitors for the University of Maryland University College, a leading international provider of distance learning degrees, and serves on the Board of Visitors of Towson University, a leading teacher training institution. Ms. Dreyer also serves as the Secretary and Treasurer of the National Council of Education Providers (NCEP).
Ms. Dreyer was one of the co-founders of Connections Academy and has been leading the company since January of 2002. She has served in the senior management of a variety of technology companies that provided educational applications using web-based software and telecommunications including Speakout.com and CSTI. Most recently, she served as chief operating officer and co-founder of Ntercept Communications, an online market research company that also operated a site for political issues and was one of the top 500 web sites during 2000. Ms. Dreyer has held senior management positions in start-ups that were sold to Motorola, MailWell, Union Carbide and Agency.com. She was a Partner with New Enterprise Associates, one of the nation's premier venture capital firms. She has taught at the university level and has been active in the development of distance learning technologies. She is an emeritus member of the Board of Visitors for the University of Maryland University College, a leading international provider of distance learning degrees, and serves on the Board of Visitors of Towson University, a leading teacher training institution. Ms. Dreyer also serves as the Secretary and Treasurer of the National Council of Education Providers (NCEP).
Dr. Steven Guttentag, Senior Vice President and Chief Education Officer
Dr. Guttentag began his career as a classroom teacher and has spent the last 15 years developing creative approaches and leveraging technology to improve K–12 education. In addition to his classroom experience, Dr. Guttentag has held several senior school district administrative positions, with responsibilities in the areas of technology, facilities, special education, policy analysis, labor relations, budgeting, restructuring and grants management. He led KPMG Consulting's Midwest education practice and, more recently, was the senior educator for Education Networks of America, a provider of complete, managed Internet access solutions to the education community. His academic credentials include a B.A. from the University of Michigan, a M.E. in Teaching and Curriculum from Harvard University and a Ph.D. in Policy and Administration from the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Guttentag began his career as a classroom teacher and has spent the last 15 years developing creative approaches and leveraging technology to improve K–12 education. In addition to his classroom experience, Dr. Guttentag has held several senior school district administrative positions, with responsibilities in the areas of technology, facilities, special education, policy analysis, labor relations, budgeting, restructuring and grants management. He led KPMG Consulting's Midwest education practice and, more recently, was the senior educator for Education Networks of America, a provider of complete, managed Internet access solutions to the education community. His academic credentials include a B.A. from the University of Michigan, a M.E. in Teaching and Curriculum from Harvard University and a Ph.D. in Policy and Administration from the University of Pennsylvania.
Rick Cochran, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Mr. Cochran brings more than 20 years of business development, sales, and marketing experience to Connections Academy. He most recently led new business initiatives for the University of Maryland University College, one of the largest providers of online degrees in the world. He has held executive management positions in the field of education for Corinthian Colleges, Career Education Corporation, and Thomson Enterprise Solutions. Additionally, he spent more than ten years as an executive at Electronic Data Systems (EDS) and other Perot Systems organizations. Mr. Cochran holds a B.S. degree in Business Management and Organization from the University of Miami and is studying business administration and online education at the University of Maryland University College.
Mr. Cochran brings more than 20 years of business development, sales, and marketing experience to Connections Academy. He most recently led new business initiatives for the University of Maryland University College, one of the largest providers of online degrees in the world. He has held executive management positions in the field of education for Corinthian Colleges, Career Education Corporation, and Thomson Enterprise Solutions. Additionally, he spent more than ten years as an executive at Electronic Data Systems (EDS) and other Perot Systems organizations. Mr. Cochran holds a B.S. degree in Business Management and Organization from the University of Miami and is studying business administration and online education at the University of Maryland University College.
Susan Fancher, Vice President, Marketing
Ms. Fancher brings more than 20 years of experience in marketing to Connections Academy. Most recently, before joining Connections Academy, Ms. Fancher served as director of marketing at Barnes & Noble, Inc., where she launched and managed the company's loyalty program, Barnes & Noble Membership. She also led marketing programs integrating the in-store and online customer experience. Prior to her tenure at Barnes & Noble, Ms. Fancher held senior marketing and analytical positions with leaders in the retail and financial services industries, including American Express and Chase Manhattan. As director of marketing at Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS) she was responsible for all marketing communications, direct marketing activities and promotion. While at HDFS she helped develop and launched the Harley-Davidson Chrome Card credit card. Ms. Fancher earned a B.S. in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an M.B.A. from New York University’s Stern School of Business.
Ms. Fancher brings more than 20 years of experience in marketing to Connections Academy. Most recently, before joining Connections Academy, Ms. Fancher served as director of marketing at Barnes & Noble, Inc., where she launched and managed the company's loyalty program, Barnes & Noble Membership. She also led marketing programs integrating the in-store and online customer experience. Prior to her tenure at Barnes & Noble, Ms. Fancher held senior marketing and analytical positions with leaders in the retail and financial services industries, including American Express and Chase Manhattan. As director of marketing at Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS) she was responsible for all marketing communications, direct marketing activities and promotion. While at HDFS she helped develop and launched the Harley-Davidson Chrome Card credit card. Ms. Fancher earned a B.S. in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an M.B.A. from New York University’s Stern School of Business.
Marc Guerrasio, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
Mr. Guerrasio was one of the co-founders of Connections Academy and brings 15 years of software and Internet technology experience to Connections Academy. He most recently served as the CTO of Versient, an online marketing services company. He was also VP of Engineering and CTO of Ntercept Communications, an online market research company that developed a standards based language for the creation of interactive, online surveys. Mr. Guerrasio was responsible for the technical development of SpeakOut.com, a political portal site that served over 350,000 users during the 2000 elections. He has held other senior engineering positions with OutReach Technologies and VideoGrafects.
Mr. Guerrasio was one of the co-founders of Connections Academy and brings 15 years of software and Internet technology experience to Connections Academy. He most recently served as the CTO of Versient, an online marketing services company. He was also VP of Engineering and CTO of Ntercept Communications, an online market research company that developed a standards based language for the creation of interactive, online surveys. Mr. Guerrasio was responsible for the technical development of SpeakOut.com, a political portal site that served over 350,000 users during the 2000 elections. He has held other senior engineering positions with OutReach Technologies and VideoGrafects.
Dr. Patricia Hoge, Vice President, Curriculum and Instruction
Prior to joining Connections Academy, Dr. Hoge served as Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Catapult Learning, overseeing the development of their K-12 instructional and teacher training programs. Additionally, she was Executive Director of Education for eSylvan, where she directed the development of the curricula for synchronous online delivery. Dr. Hoge spent over 15 years in the public schools as a speech-language pathologist, curriculum developer, and supervisor of reading/language arts. As a certified speech-language pathologist, she provided services to PreK-12 students. Dr. Hoge has served as a clinical supervisor and adjunct faculty member at Loyola College and adjunct faculty member at Towson University, and serves on several school advisory councils. She has co-authored numerous resource materials for teachers and speech-language pathologists. Her academic credentials include a B.A. in Speech Pathology and Audiology, an M.S. in Speech Pathology, and a Ph.D. in K-12 Educational Leadership.
Prior to joining Connections Academy, Dr. Hoge served as Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Catapult Learning, overseeing the development of their K-12 instructional and teacher training programs. Additionally, she was Executive Director of Education for eSylvan, where she directed the development of the curricula for synchronous online delivery. Dr. Hoge spent over 15 years in the public schools as a speech-language pathologist, curriculum developer, and supervisor of reading/language arts. As a certified speech-language pathologist, she provided services to PreK-12 students. Dr. Hoge has served as a clinical supervisor and adjunct faculty member at Loyola College and adjunct faculty member at Towson University, and serves on several school advisory councils. She has co-authored numerous resource materials for teachers and speech-language pathologists. Her academic credentials include a B.A. in Speech Pathology and Audiology, an M.S. in Speech Pathology, and a Ph.D. in K-12 Educational Leadership.
Ted Ochs, Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Ochs began his career as an industrial engineer with Corning and Black and Decker where he held both project management and production supervisory roles. He subsequently held financial management and executive positions in health care and retail. Most recently he served as Executive Vice President of Jordan Kitt’s Music and previously was the CEO and CFO of The VNA of Maryland and the Regional Finance Director for Manor Care, Inc./In Home Health, Inc. In addition to these corporate positions, he has served for nine years as an officer on the board of the Hearing and Speech Agency in Baltimore, a provider of services to individuals with communication difficulties. Mr. Ochs’ academic credentials include a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Lehigh University and an M.B.A. from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business.
Mr. Ochs began his career as an industrial engineer with Corning and Black and Decker where he held both project management and production supervisory roles. He subsequently held financial management and executive positions in health care and retail. Most recently he served as Executive Vice President of Jordan Kitt’s Music and previously was the CEO and CFO of The VNA of Maryland and the Regional Finance Director for Manor Care, Inc./In Home Health, Inc. In addition to these corporate positions, he has served for nine years as an officer on the board of the Hearing and Speech Agency in Baltimore, a provider of services to individuals with communication difficulties. Mr. Ochs’ academic credentials include a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Lehigh University and an M.B.A. from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business.
Mickey Revenaugh, Vice President, State Relations
Ms. Revenaugh was one of the co-founders of Connections Academy. Previously, she oversaw product planning and research at Mindsurf Networks and served as Vice President for Education at HiFusion. Prior to that, she helped launch the multi-billion-dollar E-rate program to wire every school and library in America to the Internet. Before E-rate, Ms. Revenaugh spent almost a dozen years at Scholastic Inc., serving as Editor-in-Chief of Instructor, Electronic Learning, Teaching and Computers, MiddleYears, and America's Agenda magazines. She continues to publish and speak extensively on education and technology issues. She also is on the Board of Directors of the North American Council for Online Learning (NACOL). Ms. Revenaugh is a graduate of Yale University and has an M.B.A. from New York University’s Stern School of Business.
Ms. Revenaugh was one of the co-founders of Connections Academy. Previously, she oversaw product planning and research at Mindsurf Networks and served as Vice President for Education at HiFusion. Prior to that, she helped launch the multi-billion-dollar E-rate program to wire every school and library in America to the Internet. Before E-rate, Ms. Revenaugh spent almost a dozen years at Scholastic Inc., serving as Editor-in-Chief of Instructor, Electronic Learning, Teaching and Computers, MiddleYears, and America's Agenda magazines. She continues to publish and speak extensively on education and technology issues. She also is on the Board of Directors of the North American Council for Online Learning (NACOL). Ms. Revenaugh is a graduate of Yale University and has an M.B.A. from New York University’s Stern School of Business.
David Schmidt, Vice President, Product Management
Mr. Schmidt has over 20 years of executive experience in marketing, strategy, business development, and operations with Fortune 100 companies, including Time Warner (AOL), Intel, Gateway, and Westinghouse. Most recently, he was the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer for the Capitol Equity Group. He served for six years in the U.S. Navy’s nuclear submarine force, including two years as an officer instructor at Naval Submarine School. Mr. Schmidt has extensive experience in developing and delivering curriculum and instruction, working in this capacity for virtual school provider K12 Inc., the Navy, Westinghouse, Gateway, and The Wharton School. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an M.B.A. from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Schmidt has over 20 years of executive experience in marketing, strategy, business development, and operations with Fortune 100 companies, including Time Warner (AOL), Intel, Gateway, and Westinghouse. Most recently, he was the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer for the Capitol Equity Group. He served for six years in the U.S. Navy’s nuclear submarine force, including two years as an officer instructor at Naval Submarine School. Mr. Schmidt has extensive experience in developing and delivering curriculum and instruction, working in this capacity for virtual school provider K12 Inc., the Navy, Westinghouse, Gateway, and The Wharton School. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an M.B.A. from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
Deane Turner, Vice President, Operations
Mr. Turner has 20 years experience in various facets of technology and operations management. Prior to Connections Academy he was vice president for operations at Ntercept Communications, LLC, an online market research company, where he developed and managed the communications infrastructure, client support, and event production departments. As a senior engineer at PrimeNet LLC, Mr. Turner chaired an information technology advisory committee and oversaw major data communications projects performed for the firm’s largest client, Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Mr. Turner earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. He is certified in numerous computer, communications, and engineering technologies.
Mr. Turner has 20 years experience in various facets of technology and operations management. Prior to Connections Academy he was vice president for operations at Ntercept Communications, LLC, an online market research company, where he developed and managed the communications infrastructure, client support, and event production departments. As a senior engineer at PrimeNet LLC, Mr. Turner chaired an information technology advisory committee and oversaw major data communications projects performed for the firm’s largest client, Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Mr. Turner earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. He is certified in numerous computer, communications, and engineering technologies.
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