This isn’t a surprise to anyone by any stretch, but it’s an interesting reminder of just how dramatic the changes around this place are right about now.
PHOENIX–(BUSINESS WIRE)–March 29, 2006–Apollo Group Inc. (Nasdaq:APOL) announced that Brian Mueller has been appointed to its board of directors.
Mueller has been with the company for 19 years and is currently its president. In his career with Apollo Group and University of Phoenix he has held many positions, most recently as CEO of the University of Phoenix Online campus.
Dr. John Sperling, acting executive chairman of Apollo Group, said, “We are pleased to appoint Brian to our board of directors. He is an excellent complement to our board and we look forward to the contributions and guidance he will provide as we continue to grow and expand.”
Members of the company’s current board of directors are John Sperling, Peter Sperling, John Norton, John Blair, Hedy Govenar and Dino DeConcini.
The campus directors and regional vice presidents just got back from a meeting in Phoenix discussing the future of the organization with Brian and his team as we all move forward with this long-overdue integration between Online, the ground campuses, and Axia College (come April 1). These are shake-up meetings, designed to make people feel just uncomfortable enough to take action, to force change in the way we perceive the delivery of eduction. He — Brian — comes to the table with an interesting reputation. From people who’ve worked for him directly I’ve heard the following:
“If he wakes up with a brainstorm, it better be implemented by 1:00.”
“He’s a mercenary…. Very good, but very determined.”
“Tough love. Exhastive, tough love. If he doesn’t love you, tough.”
But the real response came from a campus director I trust and respect dearly, who hasn’t had much contact with Brian and was skeptical about his role in the organization, She came back from the meeting and said, “I don’t care what you say about this guy. I don’t care what people call him. This time around, people are following him. He’s a leader, and we’re following him. We’ll get through this.”
Makes me want to do that much more today. Nice feeling.
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