Leadership
Richard Bond
Chairman, Bond and Company, Inc.
Richard Bond has served as a director of the board since June 1996. Mr. Bond, chairman of Bond and Company, Inc., also currently serves as vice chairman of the executive board for the Center for American Politics and Citizenship based at the University of Maryland. He is a trustee for the National Theodore Roosevelt Association and an advisory council member of the George Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University.
Over the past twenty years, Mr. Bond has served in a variety of positions in five presidential campaigns, including Republican National Committee Chairman in 1992. He has also held positions as deputy chief of staff to Vice President George H. W. Bush and as a member of the board of directors of the United States Peace Corps.
Mr. Bond received his master’s degree in government from Georgetown University and earned a bachelor’s degree in English and philosophy from Fordham University.
John L. Burton
Former State Senator, California
Founder, John Burton Foundation for Homeless Children
Sen. John Burton was appointed to the board of directors in February 2007. Upon retirement, Sen. Burton created the John Burton Foundation for Homeless Children.
In 1996, Sen. Burton was elected to the California Senate and in 1998 he was voted to the position of California Senate President pro Tempore. He previously served in the State Assembly from 1964 to 1974 and from 1988 to 1996. Sen. Burton also served as a Democratic member of Congress from 1974 to 1982. While in the California Legislature, Sen. Burton increased payments for women and children on welfare, protected the prevailing wage rate and increased aid for the elderly, blind and disabled, creating the first educational program for autistic children.
Numerous organizations have recognized and honored Sen. Burton. He is the recipient of the California State University Lifetime Achievement Award, the AFL-CIO Paul Wellstone Award, and the Sean McBride Award for his human rights work.
Sen. Burton received a Juris Doctor degree from University of San Francisco.
William Goodling
Former U.S. Congressman
Former Chairman, Committee on Education and the Workforce
Rep. William Goodling joined the board of directors December 2000. In addition to his role with University of Phoenix, Rep. Goodling serves on the board of directors for the William F. Goodling Family Literacy Institute at Pennsylvania University, William F. Goodling Advanced Skills Center in York, Pennsylvania, and William F. Goodling Teacher Scholarship program. Rep. Goodling also sits on the board of directors for Easter Seals, Pre-K Now National Advisory and Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children. He is a senior advisor with Baker and Daniels in the areas of education, workforce development and health.
Rep. Goodling held the 19th District Congressional seat for 13 straight terms from 1975 to 2001. During this time, he served on the Committee on Education and Workforce and in 1994 was elected chairman of the committee. Rep. Goodling was also a member of the House Committee on International Relations and the subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights.
Prior to his Congressional career, Rep. Goodling served as school board president of the Dallastown Area School District and in 1967 he became superintendent of schools for the Spring Grove Area School District. He was also teacher for the Southeastern School District and a principal of West York Area High School.
Rep. Goodling earned his master’s degree in education from Western Maryland College and received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland.
Hedy Govenar
Founder and Chairwoman, Governmental Advocates
Hedy Govenar was appointed to the board of directors for the second time June 2007. Between her two appointments, Ms. Govenar also served on the board of directors for Apollo Group, Inc.
Ms. Govenar is the founder and chairwoman of the board of Governmental Advocates, Inc., a lobbying and political firm in Sacramento, California. She is also member of the California Education Master Plan Alliance Advisory Committee. The Committee is dedicated to reforming the California education system from pre-kindergarten through university.
In addition to her work as a lobbyist, Ms. Govenar served as commissioner on the California State Film Commission as an appointee of the California State Assembly from 1989 to 1999. Ms. Govenar is a member and active supporter of the Capital Network, Tahoe Truckee Land Trust and Families First.
Ms. Govenar received a master’s in education from California State University, Northridge and a bachelor’s degree in English from University of California, Los Angeles.
Alan Wheat
Founder, Wheat Government Relations
Former U.S. Congressman
Rep. Alan Wheat was appointed to the board of directors of University of Phoenix March 1997. He is also serves on the board of directors for CARE and he is the founder of Wheat Government Relations.
In 1982, Rep. Wheat was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He was the youngest member in Congressional history to be appointed to the Rules Committee. During his tenure, Time Magazine called Wheat a “bright and able leader for the new generation of African-American elected officials.” During a run for a seat in the United States Senate, Wheat became the first minority candidate selected as a major party nominee for statewide office in Missouri.
After his campaign in Missouri, Rep. Wheat joined CARE, one of the largest global relief and development organizations, as the vice president of Public Policy and Government Relations. In 1996, President Clinton named Rep. Wheat deputy campaign manager and director of public liaison for the Clinton-Gore re-election campaign.
Rep. Wheat earned a bachelor’s degree from Grinnell College.