Quality * Excellence * Diversity

Dr. Michael J. Bakalis is founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of American Quality Schools.  He also serves on the faculty of the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, where he teaches in the field of public and not-for-profit management and policy and in the area of management and strategy. Bakalis' administrative experience has been in government and higher education.  He has served as Illinois State Superintendent of Education and as Illinois State Comptroller.  President Carter appointed him Deputy Undersecretary of Education in the U.S. Department of Education where he administered ten regional office of the department across the United States.  He has also held positions as Dean of the School of Education at Loyola University and President of Triton College.

Vito Bianco is Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. He has an accomplished record of improving the operating efficiency of organizations and companies through the effective use of project management, accountability systems, planning, personnel development, communication and leadership. His private business experience includes the successful ownership and operation of a $35 million distribution business and Vice President of Management Services for American Invesco, a large, successful real estate development company in the City of Chicago. Mr. Bianco has served as Chief Financial Officer for Triton College and also as that college's Chief Development Officer. He effectively served as Deputy Controller for the State of Illinois and as Associate Superintendent in the Office of the Illinois Superintendent of Public Instruction. He received his B.S. and M.S. Degrees in Education from Northern Illinois University. He has extensive experience in teaching and administration in Illinois' elementary and secondary public schools and has also taught at the undergraduate and graduate levels in higher education.

Dr. Timothy H. Ricordati is Vice President, New Schools Development.  He has over 20 years of experience in business and education.  Prior to joining AQS, Dr. Ricordati spent 17 years with DeVry University in a variety of senior leadership capacities, including Vice President, Enrollment Management and Vice President, Student Affairs.  He was also the Vice President and Dean of their Keller Graduate School of Management.  Dr. Ricordati has extensive experience with online education, having been instrumental in the design, development, and successful implementation of both Keller Graduate School Online, and DeVry Institute of Technology Online, both precursors to DeVry University Online.  He earned both a B.S. and M.S.Ed. from Northern Illinois University, and an Ed.D. from Nova Southeastern University in Curriculum and Instruction.  Dr. Ricordati is an accomplished teacher, having taught business, organizational culture, and leadership at the high school, undergraduate, and graduate levels.  He has authored numerous articles and presentations on the implementation of mastery learning to increase student achievement.

Virginia Kobilca is the Regional Manager at American Quality Schools - Bucktown, Passages, and West Belden Campuses located on the north and northwest sides of Chicago, Illinois. She oversees the implementation of the Core Knowledge Curriculum, Open Court Reading Program, SRA's Direct Instruction, and Saxon Math. She has been involved with charter schools for the past 8 years as a Teacher, Team Leader and Curriculum Director. Ms. Kobilca has taught both mathematics and science at the elementary and high school level. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago in the area of teaching 6th -12th grade mathematics and science and her Master of Education Degree from National Louis University in Curriculum and Instruction.

Lynda Williams is the Regional Manager at American Quality Schools - Prairie, Washington Park, and Avalon Park Campuses located on the south side of Chicago, Illinois.  She oversees the implementation of the Core Knowledge Curriculum, Open Court Reading Program, SRA’s Direct Instruction, and Saxon Math. She has been involved with charter schools for 6 years as an Upper School Team Leader, Director and most recently Curriculum Director.  Mrs. Williams has taught reading, language arts and social studies sixteen years at both the elementary and community college levels before joining the administrative team at American Quality Schools.  She obtained her undergraduate degree from Loyola University of Chicago in Criminal Justice/Pre-Law, Master of Arts Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Xavier University of Louisiana, and is currently completing the requirements for Education Doctorate (Ed. D.) in Educational Leadership for Organizational Change at Roosevelt University in Chicago.

Karen Washington is the Regional Manager for Austin Business and Entrepreneurship Academy and Plato Learning Academy located on the west side of Chicago Illinois.  She oversees the implementation of the Core Knowledge Curriculum, Open Court Reading Program, SRA’s Direct Instruction, and Saxon Math.  She has experience as a Principal and as an Assistant Principal. Her teaching career is diverse as she has taught elementary school, high school, and at the college-level. In addition to her Charter School experience, she has taught in both public and Catholic schools.  Mrs. Washington earned her Masters Degree and her Type 75 from DePaul University. She is currently working on her Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction.

Rhonda Stone is the Director of Special Education at American Quality Schools. She services the Washington Park, Bucktown, Prairie, West Belden and Avalon campuses.  Ms. Stone is responsible for maintaining each campus’ compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as well as with (Illinois) state and (Chicago) local regulations.  An advocate for the voiceless, Ms. Stone has been involved with the charter school movement for 6 years and has held positions as the Dean of Students and Special Education Case Manager.  After receiving her undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago, she was employed with a licensed Illinois Department of Children and Family Services agency and with the Illinois Department of Human Services.  She received her Master of Arts degree from Saint Xavier University (Chicago) in Counseling.