About Me

Mr. Steve Whiteside is the present owner, president and director of Academy of Learning, Vancouver, Burnaby and the Surrey AOL locations as well. He is also the owner, president and director of Zappa Media.

Mr. Whiteside’s experience encompasses a wide range of sales, marketing, operational, and financial duties. He obtained his education at Grossmont College in San Diego, Los Angeles Valley College in Los Angeles, and Vancouver Community College in Vancouver. His educational background includes knowledge of Curriculum Development, Political Science, Philosophy and Law. He is now taking the Master of Arts in Leadership at Royal Roads University.

Mr. Whiteside began his career with Southern California Attorney Service where he gained experience working in the Justice system at various levels of responsibility from Legal Clerk to Legal Assistant. This experience led him to the job of Admissions Representative at Pacific Coast College where he was promoted to the position of Director of Admissions.

In 1989 Mr. Whiteside immigrated to Canada to accept a position with CompuCollege School of Business and shortly there after was appointed as Director of Admissions. In 1991, in addition to being Director, he took on the responsibility of Director of Sales and Marketing. During the next 5 years Mr. Whiteside became responsible for the operations, acquisitions, takeovers, renovations, and opening new locations, in addition to his duties of sales, marketing, and admissions.

In 1999 Mr. Whiteside purchased the Academy of Learning franchise in Vancouver at Broadway station. Using his skills and experience, he transformed the location from one of the least effective schools in the country into one of the most successful locations in Canada.

Mr. Whiteside also owns and operates Zappa Media Consulting Inc. Started in 1997, this advertising agency has created and bought advertising campaigns for local and national companies such as Canada Reconnect, Anchor Learning Systems and Launchlife.com, Edgewater Casino, Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club and the Vancouver Giants Hockey Club, to name a few.

During his career, Mr. Whiteside has served on numerous committees and boards. Some of those include marketing, student loan and governmental affairs for the Private Career Training Association, now known as the British Columbia Career College Association.

Mr. Whiteside has also been appointed by Honorable Minister Shirley Bond as a Commissioner on the Private Career Training Institutions Agency and has since been re-elected to this board. Steve has also served on the Royal Roads Academic Council as Graduate student. Steve also serves on the Board of Directors for the Entrepreneurial Organization in British Columbia.

Mr. Whiteside is also active in the community. He has been the Chairman of the Jewish Community Centre Sports Dinner Sponsorship and VIP breakfast committee for the past 12 years; he has served on the Board of Directors of the Jewish Community Center as well as its membership committee. Mr. Whiteside is also on the Board of Directors for the ALS Society of B.C. and is now the Treasurer for said society. He has just been appointed to the ALS Society of Canada as well. As an active Shriner he is a Shrine Clown, doing parades, exhibitions, visits to hospitals, and he also participates in many of the benevolent activities and charities the Shrine supports.

Mr., Whiteside has a passion for Leadership and has set his goals to work in the field of leadership and help others become the best leaders they can be.