User:CollegeMeltdown/Todd S. Nelson

Todd S. Nelson is an American businessman who has been the CEO of three of America's largest for-profit college chains: Apollo Group, Education Management Corporation, and Career Education Corporation. He is currently the CEO of Perdoceo Education Corporation, the parent company of Colorado Technical University, American Intercontinental University, and Trident University International.

Early life
Todd S. Nelson earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University and a master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He was a faculty member at the University of Nevada Las Vegas from 1983 to 1984.

Apollo Group (1987-2006)
Todd S. Nelson started with Apollo Group in 1987 as the director of the University of Phoenix's Utah campus, and was named executive vice president of University of Phoenix in 1989, vice president of Apollo Group in 1994, president of Apollo Group Inc. in 1998, CEO of Apollo Group in 2001, and chairman of the board in 2004. During Nelson's tenure, the company changed its enrollment practices from relying on corporate investments in employee education and enrolling mid-level employees at major companies to government funds and open enrollment. Nelson resigned in 2006 after University of Phoenix faced allegations of illegal business practices. At the time of his resignation Apollo Group's annual revenues were $2.2 billion with an enrollment of more than 300,000 students. Mr. Nelson's compensation package in 2006 was $41.3 million.

Education Management Corporation (2007-2015)
Nelson was CEO of Education Management (EDMC) from 2007 to 2015, bringing several Apollo Group executives to the company. During his time there, the company faced allegations of illegal enrollment tactics. Nelson's highest annual compensation was $13.1 million.

Career Education Corporation-Perdoceo (2015-present)
Todd S. Nelson has been the CEO of Career Education, rebranded as Perdoceo Education Corporation, since 2015. Nelson guided the company through several school closings, including Le Cordon Bleu, Briarcliffe College and Sanford-Brown. Perdoceo is the parent company of Colorado Technical University, American Intercontinental University, and Trident University International.