In 1991, Dr. Shape began his career in higher education at National American University’s Ellsworth Air Force Base campus in western South Dakota.  Over his 30 plus year career, Dr. Shape held numerous roles, including: System Assistant Director of Financial Aid, System Controller, Executive Vice President, Regional President, Chief Fiscal Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and President/Chief Executive Officer.

In these roles, Dr. Shape managed the oversight for the policies and procedures to ensure compliance with multiple regulatory agencies, including the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Defense, and multiple other state and regulatory agencies.  In addition, Dr. Shape managed the fiscal operations of a multi-state, multi-location system with a domestic and international presence.  He coordinated the development and execution of the policies, procedures, and processes to ensure fiscal responsibility, clean audits with no findings or deficiencies, growing revenue streams, launching new business verticals, strategic and operational planning; and leading the organization in a capital raise through a reverse merger with a SPAC to become a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ.

Dr. Shape has spent over 12 years working in the public capital markets, providing quarterly and annual shareholder meetings, presenting at numerous conferences, managing public relations, and working with several large investment firms and analysts to build the demand for the company’s stock.  He is well versed in financial planning, including budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow needs; strategic planning, with a focus on building shareholder value, revenue growth, operating efficiencies, and the process of taking a company public.