Early Life and Education
Peter V. Sperling was born in 1960. He is the son of John Sperling, the founder of the University of Phoenix, and Sandra Sperling, who was also an educator. Peter developed a strong interest in business and entrepreneurship from a young age. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of California at Santa Barbara and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.
Rise to Success
Sperling joined Apollo Education Group in 1983, about a decade after his father founded it. He took over as chairman in 2001 and remained in that position until 2017, when the group was taken private. Apollo Group, under his leadership, became a prominent for-profit education company, well-known for its online University of Phoenix network.
Key Business Strategies
As chairman, Peter Sperling played a pivotal role in shaping the institution's growth and success. He co-founded CallWave, Inc., a provider of cloud-based communication solutions. The company expanded internationally through strategic ventures.
Philanthropy
Peter Sperling is known for his philanthropic endeavors, including financial support for California's Proposition 7 in 2008, which aimed to increase renewable energy use.