Industry & Services >> CEO Interviews >> March 21, 2001
STEVE SHANK founded Capella Education Company in 1993, long before the
words 'World Wide Web' made their way into the public vernacular. Mr.
Shank started Capella after noticing the lack of effective educational
tools available to working adults desiring continuing education. These
observations sparked an interest in the emerging distance learning
market. Prior to forming Capella, Shank served for 12 years (1979-1991)
as Chairman and CEO of Tonka Corporation, a NYSE-listed manufacturer of
toys and games. During that period, Tonka grew from annual sales of $100
million to $800 million, while establishing a position as one of the toy
industry's most successful marketing and product development companies.
This growth led The Wall Street Transcript to twice recognize Mr. Shank
as the industry's most outstanding CEO. Mr. Shank began his career as an
attorney with the Minneapolis law firm of Dorsey & Whitney (1972-1974),
and then served as General Counsel of Tonka Corporation (1974-1978). Mr.
Shank holds an MA degree from the Fletcher School, a joint program of
Tufts and Harvard Universities, and a JD from Harvard Law School. He has
also completed the University of Minnesota Executive Education Program. Profile
company?
Mr. Shank: Capella Education is a leading e-learning provider of
accredited university degree programs and
