MARK KASS, PH.D.

9909 Perry Drive | Overland Park, KS 66212-5417

913-961-5047 | mk5086b2@westpost.net

OVERVIEW
Results-driven Education Executive with track record driving academic missions,
building strategic alliances, leading faculty and administration, and creating c
urricula. Leverages proven business and marketing acumen to drive workflow manag
ement and process improvements. Proven ability to guide corporate start-ups, tur
n around struggling operations, and build high-performance teams.
> Global Business
> Workforce Training
> New Business Development
> Online Curriculum
> Sales & Marketing Strategies
> Strategic Planning
> Process Re-engineering
> Risk Management
> Change Management

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
APOLLO GROUP, Phoenix, AZ, 2004-Present
Vice President, Strategic Alliances
Oversee strategic national accounts marketing effort for this leading provider o
f adult higher education programs, including University of Phoenix. Rebrand orga
nization's reputation with the largest corporations in the world and build colla
borative partnerships with these organizations. Deliver outreach, thought leader
ship, strategic planning, and team development and coaching.
* Raised enrollment by 8% and revenues by $300 million by creating Strategic Aca
demic Alliances team that developed collaborative relationships with Fortune 100
firms.
* Brought on 10 large corporate clients by developing state-of-the-art global en
terprise training using social networking principles.
* Enabled enterprise-wide solutions for clients by developing globally based tra
ining and curriculum designed to overcome cross-cultural barriers to communicati
on.
* Ensured university compliance with industry and governmental standards by buil
ding relationships with higher education accreditation bodies and professional a
ssociations.
* Delivered consistent branding across the global enterprise by building high-le
vel and professional sales force geared towards developing collaborative partner
ships with Fortune 100 companies.
* Generated maximum buy-in from employees and faculty by successfully communicat
ing strategic plan for organization's progress.
* Selected to provide high-level advisement on strategic initiatives as member o
f President's Council.
PH. DIVERSIFIED SERVICES WORLDWIDE, INC., Overland Park, KS, 2003-Present
Founder / Managing Director
Spearhead delivery of high-quality services, such as strategic planning, change
management, political risk consulting, leadership training, and business process
 re-engineering. Help global clients minimize business-related cultural issues a
nd improve conflict resolution to thrive in the global economy. Design effectiv
e management training curricula and conduct seminars. www.mark-kass.com
* Led firm from start-up to profitability in less than 2 years; devised strategi
c plan that increased profits 57%.
* Increased employee retention worldwide for Fortune 500 client by designing glo
bal training course to improve understanding of global business practices.
* Centralized oversight learning practices and improved employee sensitivity to
international business culture for Fortune 500 client by creating global learnin
g strategist role.
* Earned highest ratings in product quality from industry clients while promotin
g firm's brand name recognition.
H&R BLOCK, INC., Overland Park, KS, 1998-2003
Content Manager
Developed new training materials on compliance issues for extensive retail stude
nt distance learning network. Enhanced content and delivery quality to improve r
egulatory compliance.
* Improved efficiency of retail market information dissemination 15% by co-devel
oping strategic plan and creating processes, procedures, and reporting mechanism
s for product management.
* Led division to exceed client expectations even after collapse in employee mor
ale by bringing internal and external support functions together to achieve a co
mmon goal.
KNIGHT-RIDDER FINANCIAL, Overland Park, KS, 1995-1998
Content Manager
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI, Columbia, MO, Ph.D. in International Relations
CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY, Omaha, NE, M.A. in International Relations
GRINNELL COLLEGE, Grinnell, IA, B.A. in Political Science