Leadership Team

Rob York, President

Mr. York became President of Advanced Academics after serving as the company's Vice President of School Development & Operations.  He came to the company from his position as Vice President of Sales for San Francisco-based Simpata Group, an Application Service Provider (ASP) offering an HR Management and Benefits Transaction platform for the small- and mid-sized employer market.  From 1999 to November 2002, he managed a direct sales team of 22 that helped secure more than 1,000 customers in first two years, garnering approximately 15% market share.  In 1996, he founded Concourse C, developer of www.education-world.com, the leading website for K-12 educators. Mr. York's successful business development efforts included profitable partnerships with Microsoft, Cisco, Discovery Channel, and Education Associations.  His career began with American Fidelity Group in 1984, where he led the national sales effort for the Education Services -- the company's largest division - marketing insurance products to more than 5,000 school districts nationwide.  Mr. York graduated Summa Cum Laude from San Diego State University.

Andy Scantland, Vice President, Marketing and Strategic Partnerships

Mr. Scantland joined Advanced Academics in early 2008 and is responsible for the sales and marketing divisions at AAI.  He has more than 20 years experience in marketing, including more than five years in a senior management position at post-secondary education provider Alta Colleges.  Mr. Scantland started his career with advertising agency giant Ogilvy & Mather, where he managed accounts in the financial services, retail, hospitality, travel, and office products categories.  During that time, he won a CLIO, advertising's version of the Oscar, for his work with United Way.  Mr. Scantland has also served as Vice President of Marketing for luxury travel company Destination Hotels & Resorts during the time the company tripled its portfolio of properties.  Mr. Scantland has extensive experience with direct and online marketing as well as managing customer service operations.  He is a graduate of Emory University's Goizueta Business School and Clemson University.

Roberta McKerlie, Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Ms. McKerlie serves Advanced Academics as the lead student advocate and directly manages the education and curriculum staff.  Ms. McKerlie has worked in education for ten years in the traditional classroom environment and seven years in the online environment.  She worked at Luther Public Schools where she began the Spanish and Computer Application classes.  She left education at the end of ten years to begin and administer a physician service organization for a group of physicians.  After running their organization for seven years, she returned to the education arena and became Advanced Academics online Spanish teacher/developer.  In 2006, she was promoted to the Education Department Manager and in 2008 as Director of Education.  Ms. McKerlie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and Business Management from Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri and has obtained a Masters of Education in School Leadership degree from Walden University.

Marty Thompson, Vice President, IT and Product Development

Mr. Thompson has been with Advanced Academics since 2005 and is the Director of Information Technology.  In this position, he leads a team of extremely talented technology professionals, including software developers, network administrators, and helpdesk support specialists.  Prior to advancing to his current position, Mr. Thompson was an integral part of the software development team responsible for building the AAI learning management system, ROADS.  After graduating from the University of Oklahoma's College of Engineering in 2003, he went to work for a print-and-mail company in Oklahoma City called Myriad Systems.  There he was responsible for software development that focused on document archival products for financial institutions and workflow management for print-and-mail operations.

Tom Barentson, Director of Sales & Field Operations

Mr. Barentson has been with Advanced Academics since 2010 and is the Director of Sales & Field Operations.  In this position, he is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the work of the field sales team across the United States.  Prior to Advanced Academics, he served as Deputy Superintendent and CFO for Sacramento City Unified School District from 2005 - 2009.  Mr. Barentson was also the VP, Chief Marketing Officer for American Fidelity from 1981 - 2005.