SENIOR MANAGEMENT PROFILES John M. Larson - Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer John M. Larson is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Career Education Corporation (NASDAQ: CECO), the world s largest on-campus provider of private, forprofit postsecondary education, and the second largest online education company in its sector. Mr. Larson founded Career Education Corporation in 1994. He is the architect of a growth strategy that has seen the company s annual revenues surpass $1 billion in fewer than 10 years and deliver a more than 2,000 percent return to its shareholders. Under Mr. Larson s leadership, CEC has grown to rank fourth on FORTUNE magazine s 2003 list of the 100 Fastest-Growing Companies and first in the for-profit education sector. CEC also ranks in the Top 20 of the 2003 Hot Growth Companies as measured by BUSINESS WEEK magazine. In 2000, he was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the Illinois and Northwestern Indiana region in the service category. Mr. Larson has more than 20 years experience in the private, for-profit postsecondary education industry. He has held senior executive and marketing positions at Education Medical, Inc., Phillips Colleges, Inc., National Education Centers, Inc. (a subsidiary of National Education Corporation) and DeVry Inc. He also served as Senior Vice President of Operations for the Geneva Companies, a mergers and acquisitions firm, and was a consultant to Heller Equity Capital Corporation, with whom he partnered to establish Career Education Corporation. Mr. Larson earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of California at Berkeley and has completed the Executive Management Program at Stanford University. He is a frequent speaker and lecturer at entrepreneur forums and top business schools.
Patrick K. Pesch - Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Patrick K. Pesch has served as Executive Vice President since May 2001, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since October 1999 and as a director of the Company since 1995. From 1992 until joining CEC, Mr. Pesch served as a Senior Vice President of Heller Financial, Inc. (HFI) and also as an officer of Heller Equity Capital Corporation, managing a portfolio of loan and equity investments. Mr. Pesch joined HFI in 1985 as head of the internal audit function and served in a number of positions, including Senior Credit Officer for Heller Corporate Finance. Previously, He was an audit manager with Arthur Young & Company. Mr. Pesch received a Bachelor s of Science Degree in Commerce from DePaul University and is a certified public accountant. Nick Fluge President of the Online Education Group Nick Fluge has served as President of the Online Education Group since January 2003. Prior to this, Mr. Fluge served as Executive Vice President of Operations since May 2001 and Chief Operating Officer of AIU Online since August 2000. Prior to these positions, he was Senior Vice President of Operations since October 1999 and a Managing Director since July 1997. Fluge also serves as Chief Operating Officer of Le Cordon Bleu Schools, North America. Prior to joining CEC, Mr. Fluge was the President of Western Culinary Institute, a CEC school in Portland, Oregon. Mr. Fluge holds a Bachelor s of Science Degree in Political Science from Portland State University. In 1999, he completed Management Programs at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and followed in 2000 with continued studies at Harvard University in Internet technology. In 2001, he completed the "ebusiness: Models and Applications for ecommerce" certificate program, at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Jacob P. Gruver President of College University Divisions In October 2003, Jacob P. Gruver was appointed as President of College and University Divisions. Mr. Gruver formerly served as President of the Colleges, Schools and Universities Group since January 2003. Prior to this, he served as Executive Vice President of Operations since May 2001, Senior Vice President of Operations since October 1999 and prior to that as a Managing Director since May 1997. From August 1994 to May 1997, Mr. Gruver served as the Director of Finance for CEC. From 1989 until joining the corporate management team, Mr. Gruver was Vice President and Controller of Wyoming Technical Institute in Laramie, Wyoming, a moderately sized career-oriented school. In those positions he managed all financial functions, including budgeting and implementation of management information/financial systems. From 1978 to 1989, Mr. Gruver audited careeroriented schools and other clients at a regional public accounting firm in Laramie, Wyoming. Mr. Gruver received a Bachelor s of Science Degree in Accounting from National College and is a certified public accountant.
Paul R. Ryan President of Academy and Culinary Divisions In October 2003, Paul Ryan was appointed as President of the Academy and Culinary Divisions. Mr. Ryan formerly served as Senior Vice President of Operations for the Colleges, Schools and Universities Group since April 2003. Prior to his current position, Mr. Ryan was the Vice President and Managing Director of the Culinary Division. Before joining CEC, Mr. Ryan was the Vice President of Food and Beverage Operations for the Promus Hotel Corporation and the Director of Food & Beverage for the Marriott Hotel Corporation. Mr. Ryan received an Associate s degree in Hotel Administration from Allegheny College and also served in the United States Army in Vietnam. Todd H. Steele - President of the International and Startup Divisions In October 2003, Todd H. Steele was recently appointed as President of International and Startup Divisions. Mr. Steele formerly served as Executive Vice President of Strategic Planning & Development since January 2003. Prior to this, Mr. Steele served as Senior Vice President of Strategic Planning & Development since May 2001, Vice President of Strategic Planning & Development since November 1999 and Director of Strategic Planning and Development since March 1998. Prior to joining CEC, Mr. Steele served as a Director on the Board from the Company s inception in January 1994 until he joined CEC as a full-time employee. From December 1996 until joining CEC, Mr. Steele served as a Vice President of Baker, Fentress & Co., an investment company, making equity investments in private companies. From May 1990 to November 1996, he served as a Vice President of Heller Financial, Inc. and Heller Equity Capital Corporation, also making equity investments in private companies. Mr. Steele holds a Bachelor s of Arts Degree in Economics from Northwestern University and an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Chicago. Steve B. Sotraidis Executive Vice President of Administration and Compliance Steve B. Sotraidis has served as Executive Vice President of Administration and Compliance since January 2003. Prior to this, Mr. Sotraidis served as Senior Vice President of Operations since May 2001, Vice President of Operations since November 1999 and a Managing Director since July 1997. Prior to joining CEC, Mr. Sotraidis was President of Brooks College, a CEC school located in Long Beach, California. Mr. Sotraidis joined Brooks College in 1970 and had managed Brooks' overall operations from 1975 until 1997. Mr. Sotraidis holds a Bachelor s of Science Degree in Psychology and completed two years of graduate work in Industrial Psychology at California State University at Long Beach.
Dr. Patricia A. Kapper - Senior Vice President of Education Dr. Patricia A. Kapper has served as Senior Vice President of Education since May 2001, Vice President of Education and Placement since November 1999 and the Director of Education and Placement since August 1997. From 1990 until joining CEC s corporate management team, Dr. Kapper was Dean of Academic Affairs (Chief Academic Officer) of DeVry Institute of Technology. From 1984 until 1990, Dr. Kapper held academic management positions with Milwaukee Area Technical College including as Dean of Business and Graphic Arts from 1986 to 1990 and Associate Dean of Business and Graphic and Applied Arts from 1984 to 1986. Dr. Kapper holds a Bachelor s of Arts Degree in Business Education from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, a Master s of Science in Teaching Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and a Doctorate in Adult Education from Northern Illinois University. Robert McNamara - Senior Vice President of Compliance Robert McNamara was appointed Senior Vice President of Compliance in August 2004. Mr. McNamara joins CEC from the Washington, D.C. law firm of Manatt, Phels and Phillips, were he was a partner and also served as a Managing Director of the firm s international business consulting subsidiary. His list of clients included the Career College Association. Previously, Mr. McNamara was general counsel to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) where he ensured that the CIA complied with U.S. and international law. Before joining the CIA, Mr. McNamara served as assistant general counsel for enforcement at the Department of Treasury where he specialized in financial institution fraud and international moneylaundering issues. Mr. McNamara represented the Department and senior Treasury officials during numerous congressional inquiries. Mr. McNamara holds a BA degree from Mount Carmel College, an AB degree from John Carroll University and a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. Richard Sellers Senior Vice President of Marketing & Admissions Richard Sellers has served as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Admissions since July 2003. Prior to joining CEC, Mr. Sellers was an Associate Partner with EMMGroup. Previously, Mr. Sellers has held key leadership marketing positions in organizations such as WellPoint Health Networks, Playtex Products, Procter & Gamble, and General Electric Company. Mr. Sellers received a Bachelor s of Journalism from the University of Missouri.
Board of Directors John M. Larson Dennis H. Chookaszian Robert E. Dowdell Thomas B. Lally Wallace O. Laub Keith K. Ogata Patrick K. Pesch Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CNA Financial Corporation. Chief Executive Officer of Marshall & Swift, L.P. Former President of Heller Equity Capital Corporation Retired co-founder of National Education Corporation, Inc., where he served as Executive Vice President and director from 1955 to 1993 President of 3K Financial Corporation Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary Contact: Tracy K. Lorenz Director of Investor Relations (847) 585-3899 investorrelations@careered.com