Board of Directors

Dr. Frank Longaker has been involved in higher education for over 50 years, serving the majority of that time as president of American National University. A graduate of Eastern Kentucky University and Radford University, where he received his MBA, President Longaker served as a captain in the U.S. Army and is a decorated Vietnam veteran.

As president of ANU, he has led the university through a number of evolutionary stages, adapting to the needs of the modern workforce and global economy. Under his leadership, ANU pioneered “Computers Across the Curriculum,” bringing computer technology into all disciplines before most people knew what a “personal computer” was. He developed the concept of the High Tech, High Touch curriculum, and adapted it to the distance learning era (well before COVID) with its constituent parts, Global Meet, Global Teach, and Global Learn. He also oversaw the growth of ANU's footprint to 30 community campuses, foresaw the transcendence of the online eUniversity, and expanded the university's reach globally.

In 1972, President Longaker began his career in higher education as an instructor at American National University's Lexington Campus and quickly rose to senior leadership positions within the university. His assignments within the university have included financial aid director, director of student services, federal funds manager, and senior operating officer, becoming president in 1975.

In 2012, Longaker was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Imagine America Foundation, recognizing his 40-plus years of contributions to higher education. Longaker has long been active in the community, and has served as a chamber of commerce president, a Virginia state senate candidate, and has been a member of numerous community boards and organizations.

Dr. Tami Erickson has over 20 years of experience in the regulatory and compliance arena holding top-level positions in the for-profit higher education industry. She has five years of online teaching experience and many more in the employee training field.

Dr. Erickson is currently the CEO of a consulting company, Bit of Everything, which partners with businesses of all kinds related to their regulatory and compliance needs as well as professional development and training requirements. She is also involved in the preservation of Texas initiatives; operating are sale booth at Peach Creek Antiques, is a board member on the Gonzales City Visitors Board, member of the Gonzales Chamber of Commerce, and an auxiliary member of the Gonzales Chapter Daughters of the Republic of Texas.

Dr. David Braswell is a retired Arizona state senator, community leader, award-winning educator, education researcher, administrator, and governing board member. In his current role as the CEO and co-founder of Up Slope Solutions LLC over the past 27 years, Dr. Braswell has more than 42 years of experience in educational practice and research. He has spent over two decades designing curriculum management software that has helped educators plan and focus on standards-driven curriculum management and research-based professional development programs.

Educated at Western Carolina University, Braswell received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1979, followed by a Master of Education degree in Administration in 1986. In 2015, Braswell received a Doctor of Education degree from Argosy University with a specialization in Advanced Educational Leadership.

Dr. Braswell has held positions as a teacher, principal, and chief school district administrator (superintendent) in Georgia, North Carolina, South Dakota, and New Mexico. Born in Robbinsville, North Carolina near the Cherokee Qualla Boundary, Braswell spent more than ten years as a chief school administrator with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. During his tenure, he served as one of six administrative negotiators representing the U.S. Department of Interior in contract negotiations with the National Federation of Education Employees.

Steve Cotton has been executive vice president for legal and regulatory affairs / general counsel for American National University since 1997. A former naval officer and staff judge advocate, Cotton earned his Juris Doctor from the Ohio State University College of Law. His education also includes a bachelor's degree in history with a minor in chemistry from Denison University and a post-graduate fellowship in legal medicine at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology.

Steve's more than 25 years of experience in the career college sector has made him widely sought after for his expertise, and he has served as a member of numerous boards and commissions, including the Tennessee Joint Legislative Committee on Proprietary Education. He is currently past president of the Virginia Career College Association and Chairman of the Career College Advisory Board for the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

Dr. Joel Musgrove has been the senior executive vice president of operations since 2017 and has provided the key leadership to implement President Longaker's vision for American National University.

Prior to joining the University, he served as associate vice chancellor of operations, regional vice-chancellor, campus president, senior director of admissions, director of admissions, managing associate director of admissions, and assistant director of admissions for multiple large college systems. Additionally, he was director of operations at Heritage & Liberty Traditional K-8 Charter Schools in Glendale, Arizona, and community relations & grant director at La Paloma Academy in Tucson, Arizona.

Joel earned his Doctorate of Business Administration at the University of Fairfax. He has a Master of Business Administration in Global Management from the University of Phoenix, and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Behavioral Science from the University of Arizona.

Tammy M. Riley is the Public Health Director for the Pike County Health Department serving as a diverse community health advocate and skilled allied health education professional experienced in developing hospital and agency partnerships.

A native of Pike County, Riley is a 1992 graduate of the University of Pikeville (then Pikeville College). She earned her Master of Arts degree in Adult and Higher Education from Morehead State University and worked in medical sales for over ten years before becoming the campus director and senior administrator for the Pikeville and Bristol campuses of American National University. She received the Distinguished Service Award in 2010, was selected as Campus Director of the Year in 2013, and oversaw the launch of the Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic, and Associates Degree in Nursing Programs.

In 2021, Riley received community recognition as Citizen of the Year from the Southeast KY Chamber of Commerce. Riley serves on several boards in the Pikeville, KY area and recently received the 2022 KHDA Trailblazer Award for her leadership and innovative public health service.

Phillip F Sparks began his professional career at National Business College, in Roanoke, VA in 1976, after graduating from Appalachian State University with a bachelor's in business administration. He became Director of Admissions, leading the effort to continue the institution's reputation as a leader in career training. During his time with National Business College, he became a resource in Pell Grants, National Direct Student Loans, GI Bill and other financial programs for the students.

In 1985, Mr. Sparks became Economic Development Specialist for the city of Roanoke, VA, and was quickly elevated to Economic Development Administrator and then Chief of Economic Development. He also worked with Community Development Block Grants, Industrial Revenue Bonds, Corporate Incentive Programs and the distribution of those funds. During this period, he continued his education earning a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies degree with a concentration in economics from Hollins University. Mr. Sparks became Executive Director of the Roanoke Valley Economic Development Partnership in 1998, representing 9 local governments and over 200 corporate members to promote the Roanoke Region both nationally and internationally.

Retiring from his economic development role in 2009, Mr. Sparks later returned to National Business College, American National University, as director of Marketing for its multi campus network, then Vice President of Marketing overseeing marketing throughout the campus network. Through his career Mr. Sparks served with distinction on numerous boards such as the Board of Directors of Virginia First Regional Industrial Facility Authority; Virginia Economic Development Association; Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority; Family Services of the Roanoke Valley; and the Arts Council of the Blue Ridge.

Bruce Wilkerson brings decades of distinguished leadership in public service, higher education, and business management to the Board of American National University. A three-time elected Mayor of Bowling Green, Kentucky, and former City Commissioner, he managed a $125 million city budget and led over 500 employees. His background includes serving as Campus President at Daymar College, along with executive roles in industries such as real estate, retail, and nonprofits.

A dedicated public servant, Mr. Wilkerson has contributed to numerous civic boards, including the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and Hope House Ministries. He holds degrees from Murray State University in Criminology and Law Enforcement, graduating summa cum laude, and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. His work has been published in the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin.