Paxen Executive Team
Herb Hilderley, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Paxen’s Board of Directors
Mr. Hilderley counts more than 30 years of experience in the educational publishing / educational technology industries, including senior-level positions with Prentice Hall and McGraw Hill. As Paxen Learning Corporation’s CEO, Mr. Hilderley governs the direction and coordination of the company’s objectives for growth and profitability.
Prior to Paxen, Mr. Hilderley served as CEO of two Thomson Learning educational publishing firms, ITP Nelson and Heinle and Heinle. More recently, Mr. Hilderley helped found MetaText, the world’s largest online textbook publisher, and later served as Executive Vice President of netLibrary, the company that acquired MetaText.
Richard Semancik, Chief Operating Officer
With more than 15 years of expertise in business development, strategic planning, and contract management, Mr. Semancik organizes and oversees Paxen Learning Corporation’s day-to-day strategic objectives and activities. He also heads the company’s largest division, Customer Solutions.
Prior to joining Paxen in 2010, Mr. Semancik served as senior vice president at G4S Youth Services, which acquired Sunshine Youth Services, a Tampa-based company Mr. Semancik co-founded in 2000.
Under Mr. Semancik’s guidance, Sunshine Youth Services grew in nine years to become the second-largest provider of juvenile justice residential services in Florida, with six locations and 350 employees. Mr. Semancik holds a master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida.
Steve Jacoby, Chief Publishing and Program Officer
From concept through completion, Mr. Jacoby directs all aspects of Paxen’s print and electronic product development. Mr. Jacoby’s Product Development division closely collaborates with Mr. Semancik’s Customer Solutions division on the design and execution of leading instructional materials, often pairing instructors with instructional designers to ensure accuracy and efficacy of approach. Such collaboration provides Paxen with a key strategic advantage in the marketplace, one the company actively shares with its students and clients.
With 20 years of publishing experience, most recently as a supervising editor for the Mazer Corporation, Mr. Jacoby directed the development of a host of print and electronic products for an array of clients including Houghton Mifflin, National Geographic, Prentice Hall, Harcourt and many others.
An award-winning journalist, Mr. Jacoby holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Miami (Ohio) University and a master’s degree from The Ohio State University.
Larry Pike, Executive Vice President, Finance
Larry Pike, a well-established financial executive, directs Paxen Learning Corporation’s Finance organization. Proficient in all facets of finance, Mr. Pike previously served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer for Legacy for Life, LLC, a wellness company. Prior to Legacy, Mr. Pike spent 25 years at Intersil Corporation (itself a spin-off of Harris Corporation), where he held various positions of increasing responsibility.
During Mr. Pike’s tenure, Paxen has implemented several systems and processes to ensure accurate and timely management of program and corporate finances. Mr. Pike holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Florida.
Todd Harrison, Executive Vice President, Operations
Mr. Harrison directs the instructional fidelity and growth of Paxen Learning Corporation’s operations in Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Texas, and other states along the Gulf coast. Mr. Harrison maintains top-line responsibility for the instructional efficacy, financial health, and customer satisfaction of Paxen programs under his purview.
Mr. Harrison’s career has featured a diverse background in program delivery, business development, and operational management. A graduate of the University of Florida and an active member of a host of professional education and training organizations, Mr. Harrison counts more than 20 years of experience in the field of workforce development.
Jonathan Zeigler, Vice President, Operations
Mr. Zeigler directs the instructional fidelity and growth of Paxen Learning Corporation’s operations in a host of states ranging from Hawaii to South Carolina and north along the Atlantic coast. Mr. Zeigler maintains top-line responsibility for the instructional efficacy, financial health, and customer satisfaction of Paxen programs under his purview.
Mr. Zeigler, who previously served as general manager of Paxen’s Florida, Georgia, New York, and South Carolina operations, carries a broad and deep understanding of Paxen’s programmatic operations. He also has served as a training manager, program manager, and in-school manager for Paxen in states as diverse as Florida, Hawaii, and South Carolina.
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