Bio - Alan Arkatov

Alan Arkatov is the founder and Chairman of OnlineLearning.net, the leading continuing education distance learning program of its kind in the U.S., with more than 15,000 enrollments from all 50 states and 72 countries. The company is dedicated to providing busy professionals with the tools they need to pursue their lifelong learning objectives. By combining technological innovation with extraordinary customer service, OnlineLearning.net is committed to helping learners around the world access the best in educational content -- anytime, anywhere, and at any stage of life. The company has an unparalleled track record of student satisfaction, including 85% of the students rating the courses "as good or better than face-to-face learning," and a 90% completion rate.

Alan is an appointee of the Secretary of Education to the Congressional Web Education Commission. The Commission is tasked with reporting to the President and Congress on an appropriate federal government role with regards to the Internet and other education tools for secondary and postsecondary students.

In addition, Alan is a State Commissioner and Chairman of the California Post-Secondary Education Commission (CPEC), which oversees the planning and coordination of the Community College, State College and UC systems. He has played an integral role in making sure that "access, affordability, and accountability" are the cornerstones of CPEC's work.

Previously, as President of the Board of Commissioners for the Information Technology Agency for the City of Los Angeles (which oversees telecommunications for LA), Alan successfully represented the Commission in negotiating the largest cable settlement in U.S. history ($12.3M for consumers and the City from Century Communications). Further, he helped lead the national debate regarding open access to cable modem platforms, streamlined regulatory procedures for the Agency, and assisted in creating the framework for a long-term telecommunication policy for LA.

A former television producer and political media consultant, he served as Senior Advisor to 1992 Clinton Campaign Chairman Mickey Kantor, and from 1986 to 1990 was Vice President of Doak, Shrum, and Associates. At Doak and Shrum he helped create, produce, and market the successful media campaigns for U.S. Senate, Gubernatorial, Mayoral and Presidential campaigns.

Alan has served as a Commissioner for the Telecommunications Advisory Board for the State of California, and as a Board Member for the Literacy Network of Greater L.A., the American Council of Young Political Leaders, and the Learning Community.

An accomplished musician (violin and viola) in his youth, he is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. Alan resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Mary Leslie, their two sons (Jacob and Michael), and their Standard Poodle (Lady).