Staff Biographies

Dr. Michael J. Bakalis

  is founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of American Quality Schools. He also served on the faculty of the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, where he taught in the field of public and not-for-profit management and educational entrepreneurship. 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 offices 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. He received his Ph.D. from Northwestern University.

Vito C. Bianco

  is Vice President of Community & Government Relations. 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 of Administration. 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.

Leo J. Athas

  is General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer for American Quality Schools. Mr. Athas is a recognized authority in education law with more than 30 years of experience in the field. He consults to more than 350 independent schools nationwide. He represents educational entities in all aspects of their daily operations and long range planning. He is the only person to have ever served as General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer to both the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Illinois State Board of Education. Mr. Athas is past Chairman of the School Law section of the Illinois State Bar Association and has co-authored a Special Education Chapter of the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education Handbook for Lawyers. He is often called upon to lecture and consult to and with educational professionals and associations at national and international annual meetings. He has taught legal writing and contract law to paralegals at Southwest community College in South Holland, Illinois. Mr. Athas has been recognized as a Leading Lawyer® in the category of School Law. In addition, he holds the AV® Peer Review rating from Martindale-Hubbell, its highest rating for ethics and legal ability.

Patricia Yadgir

  is Executive Director of Student Services. In her position she oversees all student service employees including counselors, social workers, nurses, deans and disciplinarians. She is responsible for the implementation and oversight of career, character and health education as well as service learning at each of our schools. Ms Yadgir has over 20 years experience as a school counselor, at the elementary and higher education levels. She has also taught in early childhood and higher education. Mrs. Yadgir holds her M.S.ed in counseling from Northern Illinois University. She is certified at the graduate level as an Eating Disorders and Obesity Specialist.