Alan Arkatov is the founder and Chairman of OnlineLearning.net
(formerly The Home Education Network). Under his leadership,
OnlineLearning.net created strategic partnerships with the UC
Regents, ICM, Times Mirror Corporation, Sylvan Learning
Systems, and Houghton Mifflin. OnlineLearning.net has become
the most comprehensive continuing education distance learning
program of its kind in the United States, with more than 5,000
enrollments in all 50 states and 41 countries in the past year.
Alan is an appointee of the Secretary of Education to the National Web-Based Education Commission. The Commission is tasked with reporting to the President and Congress on an appropriate federal role in assessing educational software for secondary and postsecondary students.
In addition, Alan is a State Commissioner for the California Post-Secondary Education Commission (CPEC), which oversees the planning and coordination of the Community College, State college and UC systems. He serves on the Executive Committee and as Chairman of the Education Policy Committee.
As President of the Board of Commissioners for the Information Technology Agency for the City of Los Angeles (which oversees telecommunications for L.A.), Alan successfully represented the Commission in negotiating the largest cable settlement in U.S. history ($12.3 for consumers and the City from Century Communications). Further, he helped lead the national debate regarding open access to cable modem platforms, helped streamline regulatory procedures for the Agency, and assisted in creating the framework for a long-term telecommunication policy for L.A.
Previously, Alan had been a television producer and political media consultant. He served as Senior Advisor to 1992 Clinton Campaign Chairman Mickey Kantor, and from 1986 to 1990 was Vice President of Doak, Shrum, and Associates. At Doak and Shrum he helped create, produce, and market the successful media campaigns for U.S. Senate, Gubernatorial, Mayoral and Presidential campaigns.
Alan has served as a Commissioner for the Telecommunications Advisory Board for the State of California, a Board Member for the Literacy Network of Greater L.A., the Board of Trustees for the American Council of Young Political Leaders, and the Board of Directors for the Learning Community.
An accomplished musician (violin and viola) in his youth, he is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. Alan resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Mary Leslie, their two sons (Jacob and Michael), and their Standard Poodle (Lady).