About PEI

At the Professional Education Institute, we truly believe the sky is the limit. We strategically focus our resources on providing our customers with a complete educational experience from customized coaching programs to cutting edge technology that will prove to be the formula for success.


Welcome

To make lasting change in one’s life, ongoing help and support is invaluable. The Professional Education Institute (PEI) specializes in delivering that help and support for customers worldwide. By leveraging technology without sacrificing the human element, PEI builds interactive education programs that focus on self-improvement. As a result, our customers’ experience culminates in unparalleled satisfaction rates. PEI’s continuous commitment to providing quality education programs has resulted in an over 90% Customer Satisfaction Score.

Regardless of how or where customers are looking to improve their lives, PEI provides solutions for people to achieve their personal, financial, and self-improvement goals.

Thank you for visiting the Professional Education Institute. I invite you to browse our site and see for yourself how PEI inspires millions of individuals to pursue their dreams of a better life.

Michael E. Hussey, President, Professional Education Institute

VISION

To be a trusted source—understanding and responding to customer needs with expanded product and service offerings that provide true Customer Lifetime Value by focusing on our customer's desires to meet their personal goals.


MISSION

To provide consumers with high quality interactive education and training programs designed to motivate them to achieve their personal, financial, and self-improvement goals.

Leadership

Chairmen

Celebrating over 25 Years of Success in the Direct Response Industry

The Professional Education Institute® (PEI) is a division of AMS Direct, founded in 1983, and built by two principals: Mark Holecek and Don Strumillo. With respective backgrounds in accounting and law, they launched the company with a primary product authored by Carleton H. Sheets, titled How to Buy Your First Home or Investment Property With No Down Payment®. The course—adapted from the popular seminar series—teaches individuals how to invest in real estate using creative financing techniques. It was, and continues to be, widely praised for its practical and specific how-to content.

The course was initially marketed to a national audience through 60-second television and radio spots, print ads, and direct mail.

In 1984, with the deregulation of television commercial time, the infomercial format was born, allowing for an unprecedented information flow to consumers. The Carleton H. Sheets® real estate course was a perfect product for this new format.

AMS Direct produced the first Carleton H. Sheets infomercial featuring the No Down Payment® real estate course in 1984. The program successfully ran for many years on national television, winning it the title of "longest continuous running infomercial in history."

Mark S. Holecek

Mark S.
Holecek
Chairman


A 30-year history in the Direct Response Industry allows Mr. Holecek to bring a seasoned perspective to the business of The Professional Education Institute.

As co-founder of The Professional Education Institute, he pioneered the "long-form" direct response television business, guiding the company through dynamic growth, and to its current position as one of the most successful organizations in the industry.

Mr. Holecek is a CPA. He received a degree in Engineering and a graduate degree in Business from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.

Donald R. Strumillo

Donald R. Strumillo
Vice Chairman


Since the company's inception in 1983, Mr. Strumillo has provided the creative vision behind the longest running infomercial product on television, the Carleton Sheets® No Down Payment® real estate course.

Co-founder of The Professional Education Institute and its various subsidiaries, he was the primary producer for all of the company's many other long- and short-form programming. He was a 1998 recipient of Response TV Magazine's "25 Most Innovative People in DRTV" Award.

A graduate of Quincy College and the Notre Dame Law School, Mr. Strumillo began his professional career as a real estate attorney, and has spent the balance of his career at The Professional Education Institute.

Michael E. Hussey

Michael E. Hussey
President


With the company since 1995, Mr. Hussey has provided the leadership and vision behind expanding PEI from a consumer products “infomercial company” to an education and training company with a diverse portfolio of high profile partners. Under his direction, PEI acquired The Hume Group, Franklin Covey Coaching and both launched and sold MoneyMasters.com—an online Registered Investment Advisory (R.I.A.) company.

Mike attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Prior to joining PEI, Mike worked for Fingerhut and Deluxe Check. He also launched business units for Nordic Track and Life Fitness.

Michael E. Hussey

Roger Sinnes
Chief Revenue Officer


As Chief Revenue Officer, Mr. Sinnes is responsible for all aspects of Revenue generation and retention for PEI. Since joining PEI in 1998, Mr. Sinnes has been responsible for the direct-to-consumer marketing of all PEI proprietary products. He has also been responsible for the company’s highly respected Media Division, its customer contact centers, and its television production activities. Mr. Sinnes has held the roles of Vice President - Telecommunications & Contact Center Operations, Vice President - Sales and Marketing and Chief Marketing Officer. Prior to joining PEI, Mr. Sinnes has served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Megasystems, Inc. and Vice President of Targetcom, Inc. where he was responsible for major accounts such as Ameritech.

Mr. Sinnes’ 30+ years of Direct Response Marketing experience and sense of entrepreneurialism has helped drive PEI’s rapid growth and made him a valuable member of our PEI Executive team.

Mr. Sinnes majored in Business Administration at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio.

History

Affiliations

PEI Programs are fully accredited and certified by the International Association of Continuing Education and Training (IACET)

Interactive education programs fulfilled by The Professional Education Institute are affiliated with the following reputable organizations:



Authorised International Association for Continued Education and Training Provider

The Professional Education Institute has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) since July of 2001. In obtaining this accreditation, PEI has demonstrated that it complies with the ANSI/IACET Standard which is recognized internationally as a standard of good practice. As a result of their Authorized Provider status, PEI is authorized to offer IACET CEUs for its programs that qualify under the ANSI/IACET Standard. IACET is a non-profit organization with the mission to promote and enhance the quality in continuing education and training. PEI adheres to a thorough and rigorous certification process in order to receive and maintain this internationally recognized certification.


A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau

The Professional Education Institute maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

BBB - PEI Chicago Corporate
BBB - Salt Lake City Operations



DMA Member

The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) is the world’s largest trade association dedicated to advancing and protecting responsible data-driven marketing.



ERA

The Electronic Retailing Association is a pioneer in the Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) industry. By capitalizing on the power of the Internet, ERA members practice a sophisticated and accountable marketing methodology, leveraging video and audio to compel a direct and measurable response.

Join Our Team

Build a career at PEI. Join our team today!

Click Here to View Open Positions

JOIN OUR SALES TEAM!

Be a part of a proven Sales team that helps individuals worldwide.

Represent proven brands such as Entrepreneur Magazine, Rich Dad Poor Dad, and Jack Canfield.

Earn in excess of $100,000 a year — with full benefits.

We are looking for experienced sale professionals.

Program Specialist Description Program Director Description

Apply Now


Benefits Include:

  • Medical, Dental, Vision, and more!
  • 401(k)
  • Paid Time Off
  • Company Short/Long-Term Disability & Group Term Life
  • Education Assistance & Training
  • Paid Company Holidays

If you would thrive in a culture that offers the perfect balance of a challenging and rewarding workplace environment where you can contribute to the unique vision and mission of the Professional Education Institute, then you’ve come to the right place!

Click Here to View all Open Positions

PEI is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

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