Sandra Bruce is currently the General Manager of Milady, a division of Cengage Learning, Inc., located in Clifton Park, NY. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management & Economics (BSBME) from the State University of New York Empire State College and has led the marketing, business development, and international strategies in a variety of roles for Milady for more than 11 years. Currently, Sandra is responsible for leading Milady’s publishing and business development strategies and is always striving to deliver innovative solutions to customers in both the academic and professional markets. Sandra has extensive experience with association work and has represented Milady on a variety of national and international association boards and committees, including AACS where she has been directly involved in strategic planning with the Board of Directors and represented the Associate Members for five years as Chair of the Advisory Committee.
Michael is the President of American Institute of Beauty, Inc. with 2 campus locations in Pinellas County, Florida. He brings over 25 years in the Beauty Industry from the Beauty Supply Distribution arena. Additional, he is proud to say that he is a former Marine and Banker with a special love for Business Finance.
Neal Heller is currently the CEO and President of the Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers, located in Hollywood, Florida. Neal holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Miami and his Juris Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University. In his current role, Neal oversees the day-to-day operations, compliance and development of three campuses; including state licensure and NACCAS accreditation. Prior to Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers, Neal was co-founder, CEO and President of the Florida College of Natural Health, where he successful led the school to become the largest of its kind in the South Eastern United States. He also served as past-President of the Florida Association of Post-Secondary Schools and Colleges and as an Executive Board member for four years. (2021)
Cathy Koluch has been in the school business for 3 decades, and is the founder of an award-winning brand of cosmetology schools in Phoenix, AZ with three campuses. Over her years in the industry, she has served as Commissioner on the Arizona Post-Secondary Education Commission and has served on committees within AACS including serving as chair of the AACS Affinity Committee.
Teresa Lewis is a licensed nail technology instructor and holds a Bachelor of Arts in accounting from Monmouth College. She has represented OPI for over 17 years and is now owner and CEO of YourNewSchool. YourNewSchool is a beauty school resource company which sources the best products, technologies and services so that our school clients don’t have to!
Nine years ago, Chris Linford started as an unpaid intern at a two man marketing company. His story is that of the American dream of rising to the top, and helping grow a successful company. Since his start,he has held nearly every position at Oozle Media, and helped start the sales, PPC, local SEO, and social media departments. Through his efforts and the efforts of others, Oozle Media has grown from a three person company to a 35 person, results-driven machine.
As CEO, Chris is responsible for the vision and growth of the company. He does this through bringing the best out of individuals at Oozle Media. He intends to do the same as a member of the AACS Board of Directors.
Currently Kim and her husband Stan McIntosh own Crave Beauty Academy. She changed the name of Xenon International Academy to Crave Beauty Academy in Wichita, KS and Ballwin (St. Louis), MO in December 2014. Kim and her husband acquired Xenon International Academy in Kansas and Missouri in 2013. Prior to the acquisition, the past eighteen years Kim has been partner in three of the six Xenon International Academy campuses. Her educational background includes college studies in Business Administration and Marketing. Kim has been active in the Beauty Industry for twenty four years. She holds a Cosmetology, Esthetics and Instructors license in Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. She has worked behind the chair, salon owner, spa management and as a manufacturer educator teaching professionals in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Colorado. Kim opened Salon Crave in December 2014. Kim currently serves on the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS) board for the last fifteen years. Kim has served in various positions on the AACS board to include; Vice-President, Secretary, Historian, co-chair of the Annual AACS Convention, chair of the CEA convention, team leader of events and supervised an education task force team. Kim also serves on the MACS -Missouri Association of Cosmetology Schools. She is also very active in the communities of the Crave locations; she serves on the board for Cricket Alley Ministries, she is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Women’s Business Owners (NAWBO), National Association of Female Executives (NAFE) and is currently chair of the Executive Leadership Team for the American Heart Association/Go Red for Women.
With a passion for helping others reach their full potential, Jim has embraced his wide array of professional experiences in order to become what he is today – a leader and advocate in the advancement of the beauty industry.
After a successful career in the hospitality industry, Jim joined forces with his brother, Tom Petrillo, in 2002. Their collaborative efforts led to the establishment of The Salon People, Inc. as the exclusive distributor for Aveda beauty products in Florida, and the opening of five Aveda Institutes dedicated to offering exceptional training in state of the art facilities for cosmetology and spa therapy students.
AI South emerged in 2012 as a result of TSP and the Neill Corporation collaborating to bring together the school operations of TSP Institute Inc. and Beauty Basics Inc. Collectively they operate 20 Aveda Institute locations across the Southeast. Jim’s role as the President of AI South is to incorporate the guiding values of their organizations to ensure that they provide the highest level of education, utilizing the most talented team, with innovative, industry-leading tools and resources. Holding steadfast to their values, AI South prioritizes personal and professional growth and development for those in their network.
Jim serves on the AACS Board of Directors, AVEDA Advisory Board, AVEDA Institute Government Affairs Council and Great Explorations Children’s Museum Board; he is a member of CCST and PBA, as well as the FSU Alumni Association, Dragons Club and University Club; in addition, Jim sponsors the FSU Sales Institute and the International Collegiate Sales Competition (ICSC) with TSP.
Garrett Shuler is a new father to a beautiful daughter, energetic, fun loving, and is a second-generation school owner who is passionate about the beauty and wellness industry and the education of future licensed professionals. As Executive Director of Kenneth Shuler Schools in South Carolina, Garrett has successfully implemented current salon techniques, technology and critical business practices to their 8 campuses with tremendous success. He looks forward to bringing that same progressive attitude to AACS as a Board Member.
John’s diverse background consists of a 10-year stint at two Big 4 firms where he worked exclusively with middle market companies in many different industries and has been delivering results for his schools since he entered the beauty and wellness education business in 1997. As a current partner in The Paul Mitchell Schools located in Dallas, San Antonio, Arlington, Ardmore, Roanoke, Denver and Miami, he has consistently shown strong leadership skills. John looks forward to exhibiting his servant leadership methods while serving on the AACS Board.
Dana Persico is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Nail Skin & Hair Institute. She has brought her science-based and global insight to many of the industries’ most respected beauty organizations. Dana has committed her career to raise the bar on beauty industry standards and, through her avant-garde educational approach, thousands of Estheticians, Nail Technicians, Waxers, and Makeup Artists, Hair Stylists and Permanent Makeup Artists have attained great success within the multi-billion dollar beauty and medical spa industry.
Dana regularly designs runway looks for international Fashion Designers at New York’s Fashion Week. She has been featured in various beauty publications and has appeared in multiple media outlets.
Mike Vanacore has been active in the cosmetology field for over 45 years, and been involved in the cosmetology education industry since 1963. He is a licensed cosmetologist and hair stylist, licensed cosmetology instructor, licensed school director by the New York State Department of Education and hold numerous certificates in advance cosmetology. He has served two terms as a Commissioner at Large for NACCAS, New York State Board Examiner, President of the New York State Beauty School Association, Committee Member of ACCRED (Advisory Council on Cosmetology Relations and Education), and appointed to the Advisory Committee of the New York State Education Department. He has been a member of AACS since it’s beginning and held many positions and served on and chaired many committees. Mike is currently a Vice President and chair the Special Events Committee which oversees the Beauty Forum Regional Beauty Shows, Spring Conference, Financial Aid Workshop, CEA Convention, and the Annual Convention.