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About Pearson VUE

Meet the Executive Team

Our executive team possesses nearly 200 years of combined experience implementing and operating computerized testing programs. We have implemented many global testing programs, the majority of which were transitions from other test delivery providers. We have developed an impeccable reputation for our commitment to quality and provide the highest level of service to our clients, their test takers, and our test center partners.

Pearson VUE is committed to being the industry leader in electronic testing, as evidenced by the track record of our experienced personnel, the investment in our infrastructure, and the continued advancement of our technology. Please take a few moments to meet our executive team.

• Robert Whelan
  President

  Mr. Whelan has overall management responsibility for the Pearson VUE electronic testing business with over twenty-five years in the testing industry. His ability to provide a clear vision for the business and direct a team of experienced testing professionals in exceeding their goals is proven by Pearson VUE’s list of recent new clients and satisfied existing clientele.

• Betty A. Bergstrom, Ph.D.
  Vice President, Testing Services

  Dr. Bergstrom leads the Content Development, Technical Implementation and Measurement Services teams at Pearson VUE. These three teams of highly trained professionals work together—utilizing their collective knowledge and exercising high standards—to make Pearson VUE an industry leader in testing services. Testing services staff support client programs for job analysis, virtual and in-person question development, building and updating computer-based tests (CBT), and statistical analysis of questions and tests.

  Dr. Bergstrom has research expertise in the areas of computer-based testing, computerized adaptive testing, innovative item types, Item Response Theory (IRT), and large scale item banking. She is the author of numerous articles related to computer-based testing. Dr. Bergstrom is a member of the American Educational Research Association, National Council on Measurement in Education and the American Psychological Association.

• Shirley Curran
  Director of Human Resources

  Ms. Curran is responsible for leading the Pearson VUE Americas Human Resource initiatives and strategic direction, including human resource programs and policies, employee relations, workforce development and organizational effectiveness, compensation, staffing, diversity and Human Resource metrics. Ms. Curran received her bachelor’s degree in Finance and International Business at Florida International University. She holds a Master’s in Business Administration and recently completed her MA, Human Resources and Industrial Relations from the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Business.

• Stephanie Dille
  Vice President, Marketing

  Ms. Dille is responsible for developing and executing strategic marketing plans and the annual marketing budget. She identifies new opportunities for strategic alliances, promotional programs and marketing activities to drive Pearson VUE revenue. She writes individual marketing and communications plans for client programs to support program growth initiatives and new program launches. She works closely with Account Executive and Marketing Communications teams to communicate successes of programs back to client, identify client marketing needs and create effective marketing programs.

• Corey Hoesley
  Vice President, Operations

  Mr. Hoesley is responsible for all Operations functions consisting of the Call Center, Technical Support Desk, Network Operations, Quality Control, Data Integrity and Fulfillment centers. He is a results-oriented manager with special strengths in coordinating, planning and supervision, along with excellent interpersonal skills. Mr. Hoesley has proven himself to be an effective leader of multiple operational departments.

• Paul Howarth
  Managing Director, Pearson VUE EMEA

  Mr. Howarth manages the UK business and oversees the operations of the EMEA region. He has held a number of technical and strategic positions within Pearson including the Financial Times, Pearson PLC and Pearson Education. His priorities include delivering operational excellence to his customers and building new business in the region by leveraging the infrastructure of the world’s largest CBT program which is managed by Pearson VUE in the UK. Mr Howarth holds an MA from Oxford University and a MBA from London Business School.

• Chuck Johnston, Ph.D.
  Vice President, Government and International Business Development

  Dr. Johnston is a recognized leader in the computerized testing business with over 20 years of experience. Dr. Johnston possesses a proven ability to shape a company’s future technical and business direction to maintain its position as an industry leader. Starting at Control Data with the PLATO system, Dr. Johnston led the development of testing systems including two national networks for major accounting firms. As a founding executive at Drake Prometric, Dr. Johnston directed the development and deployment of the first worldwide computer-based test center network. Dr. Johnston has served in a variety of capacities at Pearson VUE. Most recently Dr. Johnston has directed the business development and launch of two of the world’s largest testing programs (by volume) in the US and the UK.

• Doug Kennedy
  Controller

  Mr. Kennedy has more than eighteen years of experience in the areas of finance, accounting, strategic planning, marketing and systems development. As the controller at Pearson VUE, he leads a highly qualified staff of financial professionals to ensure a high level of integrity is met and sustained in achieving financial goals and building solid processes to sustain financial results. His background in financial planning and analysis along with his MBA in Finance, uniquely qualify him to manage the financial challenges of our global business.

• Suzana Lopes
  Commercial Director, Pearson VUE, Europe, Middle East, Africa

  Ms. Lopes leads the Sales and Marketing Division for Europe, Middle East & Africa. She has over 15 years of Sales and Marketing experience within large organizations such as Oracle and Docent Corporation. Suzana has extensive experience working in E-Learning and Education areas. She holds a Computer Science Degree from UNA University in Brazil and has completed graduate courses in International Business from New York University.

• AB Maynard
  Vice President, Technology and Software Quality

  Mr. Maynard is responsible for enabling the continued advancement and quality of our technology solutions, which are designed to provide advanced computer-based testing, licensing and continuing education solutions to clients. Previously, he was responsible for leading the development, testing and implementation of our Licensing solution called PULSE. Before that, he led the solution management group at Promissor, where he was responsible for IT governance, the project management office, quality engineering, quality assurance, and business analysis. Mr. Maynard is a results-driven leader with a focus on process improvement, quality and consistent execution. e has over 20 years of leadership experience in software and services. Mr. Maynard received a B.S. in industrial engineering from Georgia Tech with, and an executive M.B.A. from Villanova University.

• Steve Nordberg
  Chief Technology Officer

  Mr. Nordberg is one of the true pioneers in electronic testing with experience dating back to the first commercial deployment of CBT-Control Data’s Plato Professional Testing network. Mr. Nordberg was instrumental in building Drake Prometric’s business and played a pivotal role in establishing the Information Technology testing industry. Building on the experience he gained from Plato and Prometric, he co-founded Pearson VUE and continues to play a vital role as our Chief Technology Officer. Mr. Nordberg has more than twenty years of CBT experience.

• Dennis G. Palkert
  Vice President, Technology and Global Operations

  Mr. Palkert has sixteen years experience in Operations Management, Information Technology and business improvement initiatives. He is responsible for client implementations, client support, systems development, systems deployment, systems infrastructure, test publishing and all general business operations. Mr. Palkert began his career in Information Technology as a software developer and continues to leverage his technology expertise in his current role managing the global operational functions and systems for Pearson VUE.

• Randy Trask
  Vice President, Market Development

  As Vice President of Market Development for Pearson VUE, Mr. Trask is responsible for new market business development, marketing, and Pearson VUE’s Authorized Test Center network. His computer-based testing experience spans three generations beginning with Control Data’s Plato Professional Centers and later as a founding employee of Drake Prometric. Mr. Trask’s leadership has helped Pearson VUE become the leader in IT certification as well as grow our high-stakes admissions and licensure business in the medical and healthcare, financial and academic markets.

• Arthur Valentine
  Vice President, Professional Services & General Manager, Regulatory Services

  Mr. Valentine leads the Regulatory Services and Operations groups at Pearson VUE. In this role, he is responsible for the delivery of all client and candidate services. Mr. Valentine directly oversees the Regulatory and Health & Certification Account Management teams, in addition to monitoring all Channel Operations, Call Center and Customer Service functions, and Industry and Government relations. Each of Mr. Valentine’s groups provides the service deliverables that meet Pearson VUE’s high standards for security, accuracy, timeliness, and innovation.

• Don Wagner
  Vice President, Business Development

  Mr. Wagner is responsible for defining and growing the market for Pearson VUE’s electronic testing business in the professional licensing and certification, academic admissions and government markets. Mr. Wagner was a founding employee of Drake Prometric prior to coming to Pearson VUE where he helped launch our entry into the electronic testing market. He has over fourteen years of experience helping clients successfully implement electronic testing solutions.

• Julie Wineberg
  Vice President, Client Services

  Ms. Wineberg is responsible for the successful implementation and maintenance of all Pearson VUE client programs through the management of our program management, channel operations, channel quality and security and PPC operations teams. Ms. Wineberg is a founding employee of Pearson VUE with over eleven years of experience in the electronic testing industry. Ms. Wineberg is also past Chair and current Vice Chair of the IT industry security body, the IT Certification Security Council (ITCSC).

• Anthony Zara, Ph.D.
  Vice President, Testing Services

  Dr. Zara directs the product management and psychometric services teams at Pearson VUE to provide client-focused service solutions for high-stakes testing programs. Formerly, Dr. Zara served as the Sr. Director of Testing and Research Services at the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and was responsible for launching computerized adaptive testing (CAT) for the national nurse licensure examinations program. As a leader in CAT research and test development, he directed the Computerized Adaptive Testing Feasibility Study and has been a well-known expert and speaker in the areas of test development, psychometric methods and computerized testing research for more than twenty years.