Financial Services >> CEO Interviews >> November 29, 2004
CHERYL E. WATSON was recently named Chief Communications Officer of
Nelnet, Inc. Ms. Watson has served as Nelnet's Executive Director in
charge of Investor Relations since April 2002 and is based at Nelnet's
Indianapolis, Indiana, office. Ms. Watson provides executive leadership
to the company's Government and Industry Relations, led by Mr. Paul
Tone, Managing Director, as well as Corporate Communications, led by Ms.
Sheila Odom, Director. She also continues to lead the company's
international investor relations efforts, strategic planning, and
capital markets initiatives. In addition, she serves as the company's
site executive for the Indianapolis office, and also provides oversight
to the company's subsidiaries GuaranTec and Premiere Credit. Ms. Watson
has an extensive background in developing, negotiating, and managing
financial instruments. Formerly employed with Sallie Mae, Inc., and USA
Group, Inc., she has held financial service positions in education
lending and private industry for over 20 years. At Sallie Mae, Ms.
Watson held several high profile positions before becoming President and
Chief Financial Officer of USA Group Secondary Market Services and
concurrently serving as Vice President and Treasurer of Sallie Mae
Servicing, LLP. Ms. Watson is a graduate of Indiana University and holds
a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Accounting. She is a
Certified Public Accountant and is a member of the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants, the Indiana CPA Society, and the National
Investor Relations Institute. Ms. Watson currently serves on the Board
of Directors for the Greater Indianapolis Area YMCA, is a Board member
for Junior Achievement Experiencial Learning & Entrepreneurship
Foundation, and serves on Indiana Wesleyan University PACE. She is also
Treasurer for the Riverview Hospital Foundation. She earned a BS degree
from Indiana University in 1985 and is a Certified Public Accountant. Profile
Ms. Watson: We are one of the leading education finance companies in the
United States, and we are focused on providing quality student loans,
products and services to
