Committee Formed to Search for New CEO
Harrisburg, PA (October 10, 2007) - A committee has been established to conduct a national search for a new president and CEO of PHEAA and American Education Services (AES). This effort is in response to the retirement of current President and CEO Dick Willey, who will step down from the agency effective October 10, 2007.
The members of the Search Committee, all of whom are members of the PHEAA Board of Directors, include:
- Representative Jennifer L. Mann, Search Committee Chairperson;
- Senator Jane Earll, Search Committee Vice-Chair;
- Senator Sean Logan;
- Representative Craig Dally; and
- William Schenck III.
"We understand the commitment and gravity this task requires,” said Rep. Mann. “We will look for a qualified person who displays the highest level of professionalism and fully understands PHEAA’s unique role as a nonprofit business that must always be focused on looking after the best interests of Commonwealth students.”
PHEAA is one of the largest student financial services organizations in the nation with diverse business lines that earn money to help Pennsylvania citizens pay for college, especially those with financial need.
PHEAA currently returns more than 90 percent of its earnings to Pennsylvania students and families, totaling $200 million during the last year and about $1 billion over the last 10 years. This money is used to supplement the State Grant Program, pay for student loan discounts, fund scholarship and loan forgiveness programs and provide the nation’s best college and student aid planning tools - all at no cost to taxpayers.
One of the committee’s first tasks will be to select an established executive search firm to help identify the best possible individual to fill this role for America’s leading nonprofit student financial services provider. The committee’s first meeting will be held on October 11, 2007.